Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has explained his decision to start Nemanja Matic at centre-back away to Southampton.
Mourinho elected to deploy midfielder Matic alongside Phil Jones at the heart of the defence at St Mary's, which caused some confusion when the teams were announced.
However, Mourinho disclosed that injuries to Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, in addition to the fact that Marcos Rojo was only fit enough to make the bench, meant that Matic was his only choice to partner Jones.
The Portuguese joked that he would have liked to be able to call upon former United centre-back Nemanja Vidic instead.
Asked about his team shape, Mourinho told BT Sport: 'I haven't one. I would like to have Nemanja Vidic but no Nemanja Vidic, just Nemanja Matic - he's a midfield player.
'(Chris) Smalling has a pain in his foot so he is not available to play. Eric Bailly has a pain in his back so is not available to play.
'Marcos Rojo trained yesterday with the group for the first time after a long time out so he is not ready to play.
'He is ready to help but not ready to start. (Victor) Lindelof has an important injury so Phil is the only centre back available.'
Jose Mourinho explains that injuries led to him playing Nemanja Matic at centre-back against Southampton
Mourinho elected to deploy midfielder Matic alongside Phil Jones at the heart of the defence at St Mary's, which caused some confusion when the teams were announced.
However, Mourinho disclosed that injuries to Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, in addition to the fact that Marcos Rojo was only fit enough to make the bench, meant that Matic was his only choice to partner Jones.
The Portuguese joked that he would have liked to be able to call upon former United centre-back Nemanja Vidic instead.
Asked about his team shape, Mourinho told BT Sport: 'I haven't one. I would like to have Nemanja Vidic but no Nemanja Vidic, just Nemanja Matic - he's a midfield player.
'(Chris) Smalling has a pain in his foot so he is not available to play. Eric Bailly has a pain in his back so is not available to play.
'Marcos Rojo trained yesterday with the group for the first time after a long time out so he is not ready to play.
'He is ready to help but not ready to start. (Victor) Lindelof has an important injury so Phil is the only centre back available.'
Jose Mourinho explains that injuries led to him playing Nemanja Matic at centre-back against Southampton
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