“So I was completely convinced of playing him from the beginning with this situation in the last couple of days, but I am not sure if I do that because of the situation.

“He can’t afford to have a performance that is not really good. Because I am here to protect him and not to put him in difficult situations I have to analyse whether the best thing for him is to start the game if he is not totally ready for it. So I am going to discuss that with him and the medical staff and decide whether he starts or is on the bench.”

While Rooney fights to prove himself in the wake of mounting criticism, Juan Mata’s position at Old Trafford is looking more secure.

Mata might have feared for his Manchester United future when Mourinho was appointed having been sold while the Portuguese coach was at Chelsea.

Instead, the United manager suggested his plans to play a ‘different profile’ of football to that demanded at Stamford Bridge makes Mata a key component.

“There are big differences,” said Mourinho. “At Man United I have more players to play transitional football. Football is the main objective, we are not so physically strong and compact and playing in a defensive block like we did when we won the title [with Chelsea] in 2014-15.

“The football we want to play here is different. We are in the beginning of that process. I think Mata is very adept to do that with his qualities. We need players with these qualities. He has found a very good natural habitat.”

When asked to explain why he sold Mata to United for £37.1 million in January 2014, Mourinho shifted responsibility to his former employers.