Alan Shearer felt Jose Mourinho was aiming a dig at Romelu Lukaku in his pre-match interview ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea.
After suffering an ankle injury in Manchester Uniteds victory over Arsenal at the end of last month, Lukaku was ruled out of the Premier League run-in.
He returned to Belgium to undergo treatment with specialists as he aimed to return for Saturdays FA Cup final showdown against former club Chelsea.
More: Football
But the striker was only named on the bench for United and Mourinho told BBC Sport just before kick-off: He made a decision – not ready to start.
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Maybe to give us a little help… its one thing to start the match, another to play a few minutes. Thats what he told us he would be ready to do.
Premier League legend Shearer was asked by Gary Lineker whether this was Mourinho digging out Lukaku and he said: Yeah… he mentioned it more than once which might suggest he felt he could stretch it [and start].
I always felt if your carrying some sort of knock, its certainty better to start a game and come off rather than come on later.
Manchester United finished second in the Premier League this season but can end the season on a high by winning a 13th FA Cup trophy.
Its better than losing, of course, Mourinho added. I dont think its fair if I analyse my players and what they did this season because of one result.
Antonio Conte, the underfire Chelsea manager, said before kick-off: We have worked very hard to prepare for this game and for sure the final result in the last game was not positive
Romelu Lukaku was named on the bench for United (Picture: Getty)
More: Football
But we have to play in a better way if we want to win the final.
This is the same team we played against Liverpool two weeks ago and I think it is the best formation for us today.
MORE: No Willian? Antonio Conte explains Chelseas starting XI vs Manchester United
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Alan Shearer felt Jose Mourinho was aiming a dig at Romelu Lukaku in his pre-match interview ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea.
After suffering an ankle injury in Manchester Uniteds victory over Arsenal at the end of last month, Lukaku was ruled out of the Premier League run-in.
He returned to Belgium to undergo treatment with specialists as he aimed to return for Saturdays FA Cup final showdown against former club Chelsea.
More: Football
But the striker was only named on the bench for United and Mourinho told BBC Sport just before kick-off: He made a decision – not ready to start.
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Maybe to give us a little help… its one thing to start the match, another to play a few minutes. Thats what he told us he would be ready to do.
Premier League legend Shearer was asked by Gary Lineker whether this was Mourinho digging out Lukaku and he said: Yeah… he mentioned it more than once which might suggest he felt he could stretch it [and start].
I always felt if your carrying some sort of knock, its certainty better to start a game and come off rather than come on later.
Manchester United finished second in the Premier League this season but can end the season on a high by winning a 13th FA Cup trophy.
Its better than losing, of course, Mourinho added. I dont think its fair if I analyse my players and what they did this season because of one result.
Antonio Conte, the underfire Chelsea manager, said before kick-off: We have worked very hard to prepare for this game and for sure the final result in the last game was not positive
Romelu Lukaku was named on the bench for United (Picture: Getty)
More: Football
But we have to play in a better way if we want to win the final.
This is the same team we played against Liverpool two weeks ago and I think it is the best formation for us today.
MORE: No Willian? Antonio Conte explains Chelseas starting XI vs Manchester United
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