Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has declared that he is “totally against” international friendlies, after defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling sustained injuries while on England duty last week.

Smalling started England’s friendly defeat in Germany but later had to withdraw from the squad with a leg injury, while Jones injured his toe in a training session after a robust challenge by his team-mate.

Both defenders were therefore absent from England’s 2-0 World Cup qualification victory over Lithuania, something that had Mourinho questioning whether there was any need for international friendlies.

Manchester United injury and suspension list Show all 8 1 /8 Manchester United injury and suspension list Manchester United injury and suspension list Phil Jones (toe) Defender suffered a broken toe after a challenge from United teammate Chris Smalling during England training, and is not yet ready to return. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Chris Smalling (knee) Limped out of England training a few days after Jones and is unlikely to recover in time. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Marcos Rojo (knee) Suffered a serious knee injury and will miss the rest of the season. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Zlatan Ibrahimovic (knee) Ruptured his cruciate ligament in the win over Anderlecht and will miss up to nine months, ruling him out for the rest of 2017. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Juan Mata (groin) Underwent surgery on his groin in March but Mourinho is hopeful he will return before the end of the season. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Paul Pogba (muscle) Will miss the Manchester derby with a muscular injury after suffering fatigue from playing two games in two days. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list James Wilson (ACL) The striker suffered an ACL injury that will keep him out of the entire season. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Ander Herrera (ankle) Picked up an ankle knock in the win over Burnley but expected to be fit for the Manchester derby. Getty

"I am totally against the friendly matches," he told Sky Sports. "I think friendly matches for the national team only make sense before the final phases.

"But mid-season friendly matches mixed with qualification matches, I don't think that makes sense."

Jones picked up an injury after being tackled by Smalling in training (Getty)

The absence of Smalling and Jones leaves United thin on the ground for their forthcoming Premier League match against West Brom on Saturday. Captain Wayne Rooney, record signing Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini are all further injury doubts.

Meanwhile the club’s leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as well as midfielder Ander Herrera, will miss the weekend's game as they serve the final game of their suspensions.

The club had 13 players in international duty over the past two weeks – including three who had travelled to South America to play in qualifying matches. And Mourinho thinks that the number of players who travelled hands West Brom a distinct advantage when the two teams meet this weekend.

"If you compare our situation with our opponents, West Bromwich Albion, only one player on international duty," he added.

"They had time to work, time to rest and prepare. It's going to be hard."