It hurts me to drop players, says United boss Mourinho

27 year old Manchester United midfielder, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has earned the rave reviews of his manager following his eye catching display in the 4-1 decimation of West Ham on Wednesday night. And the reaction he got at Old Trafford when he came on against West Ham suggested United fans would be happy to see more of the 2014 World Cup victor.

Despite improving, it was still a surprise when the Hammers levelled in the 38th minute, David De Gea failing to hold Dimitri Payet’s effort and giving former United striker Ashley Fletcher an easy tap in to open his account for the Londoners. By then, Ibrahimovic and Martial had each grabbed their second goals of a comfortable win that set up a semifinal match against Hull.

Mourinho, who was serving his one-game touchline ban, told the media what he said to the players when they were drawing at half-time.

“I’m pleased with the goals, because the performance is something we are used to, we are playing very well at home, and this was more of the same”, he said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“We won comfortably with attractive, attacking football”.

United are gathering pace this season and if we can string a run of wins together we’ll be back on track in the top four.

His 85th minute cameo marked the German’s first appearance in a United shirt for eight months – receiving an incredible welcome from the Old Trafford faithful.

“Yes, when I tried to score a goal, I tried to avoid the duel with goalkeeper”, he said.

Mourinho has been under pressure after the recent spate of underwhelming results in the English Premier League.

Manchester United named former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as Louis van Gaal’s successor in May after the Dutch coach led the Red Devils to a disappointing fifth-placed finish last term.

“I’m happy for him”.

“We know the reason we brought him and we were waiting for his evolution and it looks like it’s coming”. “We have to focus on the next game and we’ll see what happens”.