Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho promises more rotation as Paul Pogba misses Southampton clash

Manchester United will be without £90m man Paul Pogba for their trip to face Southampton due to a family bereavement. The Red Devils issued a statement on their official website regarding the current state of Mourinho's squad on Tuesday (16 May) and confirmed that Pogba, 24, has travelled to France for his father's funeral.

The statement also hinted that Mourinho may see fit to hand a number of youngsters a starting spot against the Saints after Axel Tuanzebe, Demi Mitchell and Scott McTominay were left out of the Under-23 side that beat Tottenham on Monday, while the Portuguese revealed that utility player Daley Blind will not feature at the St Mary's Stadium.

"I have to build some teams with the minimum of conditions to fight for a result," Mourinho told Manchester United's official website. "We lost against Arsenal 2-0 and we fought for the result. We lost 2-1 [at Spurs] and we fought for the result.

"We always want to fight for the result. I don't want to field a team where people think we aren't fighting for the result – we are fighting for the result. What I want from the players is a positive attitude, good team spirit and the understanding that some guys have to sacrifice themselves for the good of others.

"So I'm going to rotate some people. Blind will not play against Southampton but Fellaini will, because he has not played the last three matches. These are examples of trying not to accumulate [matches] but people have to play because we don't have other players. I cannot put four or five other kids all together in the fire; I cannot do that to the kids."

Mourinho went on to discuss Pogba and has allowed the France international to return to first-team proceedings when he believes he is ready. The former Chelsea boss also touched upon some of Manchester United's fringe players and believes it is 'very important' for the likes of Anthony Martial and Chris Smalling to complete a full 90 minutes of football ahead of the Europa League final against Ajax.

Mourinho also addressed his injured contingent and believes versatile defender Tim Fosu-Mensah has a slight chance of being ready to face Ajax on 24 May. The young Dutchman suffered a shoulder injury during United's 0-0 draw against Manchester City, and Mourinho revealed that he is 'trying everything' to be fit.

"I don't think Paul [Pogba] has the conditions to play; we will let him be completely free to come back when he thinks he is ready to be back," the Manchester United boss added.

"[Anthony Martial] didn't play against Celta because the options were different but he is fine and he is one of the guys that it is very important for him to play 90 minutes. [Chris] Smalling, [Phil] Jones, [Juan] Mata – it is very important for them to play 90 minutes."

"Fosu-Mensah has a little chance to be ready [for the final]. But even this kid is trying everything because the others [who are out injured] are impossible."