Jose Mourinho has revealed the reason he sent Zlatan Ibrahimovic on against Watford in last night's 4-2 win.
United were 3-0 up and cruising at half-time through goals from Ashley Young (2) and Anthony Martial, but in a crazy five-minute spell late in the second half, Watford pulled it back to 3-2 when Troy Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucouré found the net.
With his brace last night, Ashley Young found the net for the first time since May 2016 last night. Image: PA
The Hornets put United under the cosh, and at 3-2, Ibrahimovic was stripped and on the touchline, about to enter the fray.
But as he awaited his fourth appearance since coming back from his ACL injury, Jesse Lingard roasted Watford's defence with a mazy run and notched the fourth to seal the win.
Mourinho's reaction to Ashley Young's sublime free-kick was priceless:
Ibrahimovic then replaced the United No.14, but as per Mourinho himself, his thinking was that the Swede would mark Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes if he came up from a corner.
Image: PA
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Mourinho told the Manchester Evening News:
"Zlatan holds the ball well, he can be an extra man to help us in set pieces.
"I told Zlatan maybe if Gomes goes to the last corner of the match and you maybe mark Gomes at set pieces, who knows how the game could end."
Ibrahimovic didn't need to mark Gomes in the end but he did get some more valuable minutes on the pitch as he looks to improve his sharpness.
Moreover, another interesting tidbit from Mourinho after the game was his reasoning for Romelu Lukaku's recent struggles.
The Belgian recorded an assist for Anthony Martial in the 4-2 win over Watford last night, but has scored just once in his last 11 games - a completely different run of form to what he was producing in his opening outings, when he scored 11 in his first 10 starts.
Image: PA
After the game, Mourinho was asked about his star striker's woes and had a hilarious explanation.
Clearly being sarcastic, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News in his post-match presser, the United boss said:
"I think he needs a contract with boots because he doesn't have a contract with any brand.
"That's why he is playing with the black boots, he needs to be paid the right money so he goes back to goals but jokes apart he works amazingly well for the team.
"I would never blame him for the easy chance he missed with me he doesn't have that pressure, amazing player, amazing professional, I couldn't be happier with him.
"He finished the deal and now he's waiting for the right offer!"
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Watford, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Premier League, Jesse Lingard