The Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, says he has considered leaving out Wayne Rooney for his own ‘protection’ as he fears criticism of another under par-performance.

Mourinho says Rooney was a certainty to start against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford on Thursday night, until he suffered a back injury early this week. Now the prospect of being less than 100 per cent for the Europa League tie has complicated the issue.

“Wayne Rooney is selected [in the squad]. I did not decide yet if I start with him,” said Mourinho. “He didn’t train on Tuesday, he did just a little bit of the session on Monday. He had a back problem. So today [Wednesday] was the first time he had a training session with the other players and it was a training session where the intensity and complexity is obviously reducing because we have a game.