Jose Mourinho smiles in a press conference
Jose Mourinho was not impressed with Arsene Wenger (Picture: Reuters)

Jose Mourinho remained tight-lipped about the return of Michael Carrick, instead opting to aim a dig at Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Manchester United have been without Carrick for the entirety of the Premier League season and the midfielder recently revealed he had a minor heart condition that needed surgery.

Carrick has promised to return to playing as soon as possible with just one appearance so far this season, but Mourinho insisted the Englishman would not play on Tuesday night against CSKA Moscow.

That is until he suggested he might feature after all.

‘No, all the other players that didn’t play the last match are still out,’ said Mourinho when asked if Carrick could play.

Jose Mourinho looks sullen listening to a question
(Picture: Reuters)

Manchester United 2018/19 Fixtures

Fulham (A) - Feb 9
PSG (H) - Feb 12
Chelsea (A) - Feb 18
Liverpool (H) - Feb 24
Crystal Palace (A) - Feb 27
Southampton (H) - Mar 2

Wenger said Alexandre Lacazette was out and then he started (Picture: Getty)

‘I can make a surprise tomorrow and the one that is unavailable, he plays.’

The response seems to be a dig at Wenger who said last week Alexandre Lacazette would not start against United due to injury.

But, when the team sheets were released on Saturday, Lacazette was leading the line against the Red Devils.

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Michael Carrick looks down at the grass
Michael Carrick is back in training (Picture: Getty)
Jose Mourinho fights a smile
(Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Mourinho clearly was not impressed with Wenger’s mind games and it remains to be seen whether he does spring a surprise for United’s final Champions League group game.

United need just a point to book their spot in the last-16 of the tournament after their shock loss to Basel in the last group game.

CSKA were hammered 4-1 in the reverse fixture in Russia and United are gunning to secure top spot in Group A.

MORE : Ed Woodward tells Jose Mourinho he will have £80m to spend on January transfers