Mourinho Confirms Man Utd Duo Will Be Recalled Against Basel

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling will be recalled to start against FC Basel in the Champions League tomorrow night.

Mourinho has played a settled back four for much of the campaign with Eric Bailly and Phil Jones starting all four Premier League games in the middle of defence so far.

The pair marshalled United to three consecutive clean sheets against West Ham, Swansea and Leicester but they were finally breached after the Red Devils drew 2-2 at Stoke on Sunday.

Jones endured a difficult afternoon at the Britannia Stadium as he was at fault for Stoke’s second half equaliser but Mourinho has refused to criticise the England international for his display.

However, with both Jones and Bailly suspended for United’s Champions League opener against Basel on Tuesday night, Mourinho has confirmed that Smalling and Lindelof will be given their chance to impress.

Mourinho is quoted as saying by the Express:

“He’s (Jones) playing well for us. He’s probably tired with two consecutive matches with the national team so it’s good that on Tuesday he gets his rest and it’s an opportunity for Smalling and Lindelof to play the Champions League match.”

Smalling is yet to feature for United in the league this season with his last appearance coming during their defeat to Real Madrid in the Super Cup last month.

Lindelof has also been left out in the cold since playing against Madrid as the 23-year-old has been axed from the entire squad for three of United’s four league games so far this campaign and was an unused sub at Swansea.

But Lindelof and Smalling will now be given a chance to stake their claim for a regular first team spot when they line-up alongside each-other as United welcome Basel to Old Trafford tomorrow night.