José Mourinho is clear that he would drop Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Manchester United have no “untouchables” in their squad, unlike the Chelsea team who won two Premier League titles under him, with the manager instead pointing to the collective qualities of the side as being non-negotiatable.

In December 2006 Mourinho named nine Chelsea players who were undroppable from his strongest XI. Asked if United also have untouchables, possibly including Pogba and Ibrahimovic, Mourinho said: “That was 11 years ago, a different Premier League and situation – it was the best team by far. Untouchable in our team has to be the spirit, the commitment, the pride, the commitment to the club, respect to the fans. That has to be untouchable, not players.”

Wayne Rooney confident Manchester United can build on Anfield draw Read more

Wayne Rooney has lost his regular starting place and Mourinho refused to confirm if the captain will return against Fenerbahce in the Europa League group game at Old Trafford on Thursday night, ahead of which United have three points from two group matches.

“I don’t want to give you the team, honestly,” Mourinho said. “Wayne is working well – he’s one of the big responsible people for the atmosphere that the players can breathe because he’s positive, he’s a good example. We count on him to start or be on the bench, but he will be there tomorrow.”

One who will start against Fenerbahce is Luke Shaw, the head coach confirmed, with the left-back now fully recovered from a groin problem. His last start was in the 3-1 defeat at Watford on 18 September, following which the Portuguese criticised the player for being out of position.

Asked what the 21-year-old made of his manager’s comments, Shaw said: “I’m a grown man and I can take what the manager said. I’m still young and I need to take on board what he said and improve. I was disappointed with the result but not what the manager said. I take it on board and look to improve. Hopefully I can do that in the next matches.”

Speaking of the impact Pogba has made at United following his record-breaking summer arrival, Shaw said in jest: “A lot of dance moves in the changing room.”

He went to add, more seriously: “He has brought a presence. He was named in the world 11 for a reason and I believe he is one of the best in the world. I think he is still adapting and still doing good for the team. He is staying strong and believing in his ability. We can all see his ability in training. Game by game he is getting stronger. He is a very nice guy, in his terms he is a great leader as well.

“They [Pogba and Ibrahimovic] have a massive aura, especially Zlatan for what he achieved and with Paul for what he achieved in the last two or three years. These two especially have been really good in training. The more they adapt to the Premier League the better they will come. They have come to win trophies like everyone else in the changing room. We are at a stage now where we are getting better and better. There is so much more to come from everyone in the changing room. I was really excited for both of them to come into the squad. The experience they both bring is unbelievable.”

Mourinho is clear that Marcus Rashford, who may start as his main striker on Thursday, may not be made available for England’s challenge at the European Under-21 Championship next summer if he is a regular in the senior squad. “We are in mid-October, the Championships will be in the summer,” the Portuguese said.

“I think we have to wait and see what happens until then. Because if the player becomes a regular in the ‘A’ national team, if you want to call it that. If he becomes a regular in the ‘A’ national team and established, then to say it is important for his development with the under-21s, makes no sense.

“It’s the same that he’s a regular here with us, and then we are going to play him in the under-23 championship because we want to beat somebody and he can give us a help in that. Let’s see what happens. If he’s an under-21 player in the national team, then he is an under-21 player and there is no discussion about that. But if he becomes a regular choice for Gareth Southgate in the first team, then we have to speak because we don’t want any contradictions.”

Robin van Persie, a key member of the club’s last Premier League title-winning side three years ago, could be in the Fenerbahce lineup to face United. Shaw believes the 33-year-old can still be a factor despite not being a regular in the side and scoring only once this term. “Yeah of course. He definitely is a threat,” Shaw said.

“We know what his qualities are. Sometimes with quality like that even if you know what they do it is very hard to stop. I managed to see how good he was in training and the games he played. We are focusing on the whole team. We are wary of him but also the whole team as well.”

Meanwhile, defender Tim Fosu-Mensah has signed a contract that ties him to United until 2020. It has the option of a further year.

Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) Kafilemizi Manchester'a götüren uçağın camına kuş çarpması nedeniyle, uçak Budapeşte'ye zorunlu iniş yaptı. Endişe verici bir durum yok. pic.twitter.com/tYhUWp2omJ

Possible teams: Manchester Utd (4-2-3-1) Romero; Darmian, Fosu-Mensah, Rojo, Shaw; Herrera, Carrick; Mkhitaryan, Mata, Martial; Rooney.

Fenerbahce (4-2-3-1) Demeril; Van der Wiel, Kjaer, Skrtel, Kaldirim; Souza, Topal; Alper, Van Persie, Sen; Emenike.