Rojo had not played since April, but returned to action at the end of November (Picture: Getty)
Rojo had not played since April, but returned to action at the end of November (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho says it was never an option to include Marcos Rojo in his Manchester United squad to face CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The Argentine featured in United’s last two matches, against Watford and Arsenal, though has been omitted from the 18-man squad entirely against the Russian side, with Daley Blind coming into the back three instead.

Mourinho remains without Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, and says he must protect Rojo after his long injury lay-off and it would have been too great a risk to play him so soon again.

Rojo looked exhausted at the end of United’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal on Saturday (Getty)
Rojo looked exhausted at the end of United’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal on Saturday (Getty)

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Speaking to BT Sport ahead of the visit of CSKA, he explained: ‘Marcos is really tired, he’s had seven months out.

‘We thought about not playing two consecutive matches, but it happened because no Jones and no Bailly and we had to play two consecutive matches in two games against Watford and Arsenal.

‘He really needs the rest. He’s not even an option. By the muscular point of view, he really needs the rest.

‘It’s decision to protect the player.’

Rojo made his injury return in Europe in the shock defeat to Basel, though looked assured despite his long injury lay-off in Premier League wins over Watford and Arsenal.