Manchester United fans were shocked as Jose Mourinho dropped star striker Marcus Rashford for their Premier League game with Liverpool.
Mourinho decided to start Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan either side of top scorer Romelu Lukaku in their derby clash.
Rashford has impressed this season have netted five goals in nine appearances for the Red Devils this season.
But Mourinho has revealed Rashford was sent to the bench after picking up a knock while on England duty last week.
"I don’t think we have many options," Mourinho said.
"Fellaini injured in national team Eric Bailly injured in national team Marcus Rashford injured in national team. We don’t have many options so not much to think."
Centre back Eric Bailly was also a surprise absentee with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who is making his 250th United outing, partnering up in defence - but he also suffered an injury on injury duty, with Ivory Coast.
Manchester United XI: De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Valencia, Darmian, Herrera, Matic, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Lukaku