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Jose Mourinho To Drop Four Big Names For FA Cup Semi Final

Jose Mourinho To Drop Four Big Names For FA Cup Semi Final

Manchester United have one last chance for silverware this season, starting with Spurs at Wembley on Saturday.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Jose Mourinho has some big decisions to make this week when it comes to who will play in the FA Cup semi-final. The Manchester United manager has hinted that some big names could miss out against Spurs.

Losing to West Brom at home is not exactly the ideal preparation for the biggest match of your season, an FA Cup semi final against Spurs which is essentially an away fixture at Wembley.

Which of United's current crop could join our list of flops?

Finishing second in the league would obviously be an improvement this season for Jose Mourinho and his team but collecting trophies is what he loves to do.

His side do have a chance to build some positive momentum on Tuesday night when they face Bournemouth in the Premier League and Mourinho has hinted some big names could miss out there and against Spurs, saying: "What is the criteria for a manager to choose a team? I only know one criteria - it is the way they play. It is the only way I can ­select players. Or do you want me to go for the price they cost, or their salary, or their beautiful face or ... The only way is to go with performance."

After the game against the Baggies on the weekend then, when no one seemed to play particularly well, there could be a slew of changes in the next two games but four big names in particular face the axe.

According to the Telegraph, January signing Alexis Sanchez as well as record signing Paul Pogba and Spaniards Juan Mata and Ander Herrera could all miss out on the visit to Wembley.

Pogba and Sanchez were poor against West Brom. Image: PA Images.
Pogba and Sanchez were poor against West Brom. Image: PA Images.

It would be the second round of the competition in a row that Sanchez and Pogba would have been dropped for, having previously missed out against Huddersfield in the quarter final.

It's quite the damning assessment of the Chilean's form since he arrived from Arsenal in the winter whilst the Frenchman's travails are far more widely spoken about.

The news could hand a reprieve to Anthony Martial. The former Monaco forward is reportedly unhappy at his lack of playing time and is currently considering his future.

Martial replaced Pogba on Saturday. Image: PA Images
Martial replaced Pogba on Saturday. Image: PA Images

Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay could also be amongst those who benefit from big names being dropped for their poor performances.

Spurs will also be hoping to get some momentum going into the game this week. They were battered by Manchester City at the weekend and play Brighton on Wednesday to get things right. The FA Cup is their last chance for silverware this season too.

It's a big week for Manchester United but some of their big names could be faced with some time on the bench, will it pay off for Mourinho?

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Topics: Spurs, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Alexis Sanchez, Ander Herrera, FA Cup