Jose Mourinho explains Eric Bailly absence from Man Utd’s XI v West Brom

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he left Eric Bailly out of his line-up to face West Bromwich Albion because the game is more suited to the qualities of Victor Lindelof.

Mourinho had made two changes to the side that played in last weekend’s thrilling Manchester derby that saw United win 2-3. As well as Lindelof replacing Bailly, Juan Mata has come into the side to replace Jesse Lingard.

Explaining the change before kick-off, the Red Devils boss told the club website: “A decision again. Victor played the match against Swansea at home and it was very suited to his qualities.

“Normally, we are going to have more of the ball and, normally, it’s when we need somebody from the back to add extra technical quality in the middle of the back [four].

“We have three matches in a week. Bournemouth in a few days [Wednesday night] then Spurs after a few days again. In that semi-final, they are having one day extra to us to recover so I need also to think about that.”

Mourinho added: “I believe, like last week, they (West Brom) will be very compact with two lines of four and no space to play so Mata is one of the players who thinks fastest in my team.” NaijaBet.com

Perhaps Mourinho’s changes were ill-advised, as United were flat all afternoon against West Brom, and hardly created anything to challenge Ben Foster.

United lost 0-1 thanks to a header by Jay Rodriguez, handing rivals Man City their fifth top-flight title.

United have been criticised all season by fans wanting to see Mourinho play more positive and risk-averse football. Those criticisms were given greater credence on Sunday as United failed to break down a bottom of the table West Brom side.

This was not the first time those fans came away disappointed from a home game the Red Devils should have won; it was only last March that United crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of a comparably mediocre Sevilla side.