Man United boss Mourinho says under-performing stars won't be picked for Bournemouth trip
United's Anthony Martial (left) and Paul Pogba after the team's defeat to West Brom on Sunday. Pic/AFP
Jose Mourinho has decided to axe some under-performing stars for the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham in the wake of Manchester United's alarming loss to West Brom.
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A season-defining week kicked off in embarrassing fashion on Sunday as Jay Rodriguez fired the beleaguered Baggies to their first Premier League win in three months, sealing the title for Manchester City in the process. It was a meek display from the hosts and a performance in stark contrast to the way they roared back to victory at the Etihad Stadium the previous weekend - a result of what Mourinho believes was over-confidence and complacency.
Jose Mourinho
The United boss has now vowed to drop some big names ahead of Saturday's Wembley semi-final against Spurs, with changes also in mind for today's Premier League trip to Bournemouth. "Rotating is not the right word," Mourinho said. "If I play a player against Bournemouth and the player is phenomenal, he plays the semi-final. "So it's not rotating, because rotating looks like a player that plays against Bournemouth is to give a rest to somebody that is going to play against Spurs in the semi-final.
"So, the word is not rotation, it is an opportunity for people, for some people to play and to try to get a place in the team for Spurs - and some of the guys that played (against West Brom), they don't have a place in that team."
Asked to clarify if he meant that some of those who under-performed against West Brom would now not play against Tottenham, Mourinho retorted: "Yeah. What is the criteria for a manager to choose a team? I only know one criteria: the only way I can select players is on their performance. "Or do you want me to go for the price they cost, or their salary, or their beautiful face? The only way is to go with performance."
Mourinho's disappointment will have no doubt been compounded by the fact some of those under-performing have been key players for him. "Consistency has nothing to do with age," the United boss said when asked if he was getting the best out of the experienced, established players. "It has to do with personality, has to do with the way you live for football, what is your priority in your life, your ambitions. It has not to do with age.
"I met players 30-years-old, not consistent at all, and I found boys of 18, 19, 20, real men, real professionals, so it's not about the age."
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