LONDON • Manchester United's Chris Smalling has defended manager Jose Mourinho's criticism of him and Phil Jones for their "cautious approach" towards recovery from injury, saying that it reflects his desire to have them on the field.
The defensive duo suffered respective knee and foot injuries while training with the England national team in March and Mourinho criticised their mentality as they were unable to return for United's congested fixture list of nine games in April.
"You can take positives from it in that the manager wants you out on that pitch," Smalling said. "He wants you to represent him and be that fighter and warrior for him.
"Obviously, with a knee injury, there are certain protocols that need to happen. With the medical staff and with the coaches, we are pushing all the time.
"All throughout my injury we spoke about the process and when I would be back, so it is good that the manager wants you because ultimately he has got that decision of whether you play or not."
United are winless in their last four Premier League games, a run that has left them sixth in the table. However, midfielder Juan Mata believes it is imperative that they win their final two league games to make sure they are in peak condition for their Europa League final against Ajax next Wednesday.
The final in Stockholm will be the Red Devils' last chance of securing Champions League qualification. They visit Southampton today before entertaining Crystal Palace in the final match on Sunday.
While there is nothing riding on the two matches, Mata insists that he and his team-mates cannot afford to take them lightly.
"Now it's time to play two good games to close the Premier League and reach the Europa League final in the best shape that we can," the Spaniard wrote on his blog, published on the United website.
"It's true that the calendar has been hectic over the last two months, but we have to push hard now to try to win the three remaining games. We really want to."
Mourinho has said that he already has an idea of the team he would like to play against Ajax, and he must now strike a balance between resting his key players and making sure they are fit and firing for the trip to Sweden.
He has already revealed that Daley Blind will be rested for the Southampton match, with the versatile Dutch defender having started six of the last seven games.
Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford could all come into the starting XI, having started on the bench in the 1-2 loss to Tottenham, while Marouane Fellaini returns from suspension. It is not known if Paul Pogba is in contention after he was given compassionate leave following his father's death.
Southampton, who won 2-1 at relegated Middlesbrough on Sunday, are in a straight shoot-out for eighth place with West Bromwich, who lead them on goal difference.
They are also out to avenge their 3-2 defeat by United in February's League Cup final, which left a bitter taste after Manolo Gabbiadini saw what would have been the opening goal ruled out for a dubious offside.
However, the Saints will be unable to improve on the previous season's league placing - sixth - for the first time in eight campaigns.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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