Thursday 23 February 2017 00:15, UK
Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored the only goal of the game as Manchester United beat St Etienne on Wednesday to advance to the Europa League last 16 with a 4-0 aggregate victory.
Mkhitaryan flicked Juan Mata's left-wing cross beyond St Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier after just 16 minutes at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, effectively ending the tie as a contest.
But while the result was never in doubt, the evening was not without drawbacks for Mourinho, who fielded a surprisingly strong team despite the looming prospect of the EFL Cup final.
Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick were forced off with suspected injuries, and there was also a red card for Eric Bailly, who will be suspended for the first leg of the Europa League last 16.
It gives Mourinho plenty to think about ahead of Sunday's Wembley showdown with Southampton. Here, we look at some of the decisions facing the Manchester United manager…
Mkhitaryan has been in excellent form for United in recent weeks. His early strike at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was his third in his last six appearances, and there were also assists against Blackburn and Leicester. It's been an impressive run, which makes his first-half departure with a hamstring problem a real headache for Mourinho.
The United boss needs to come up with a contingency plan for Sunday's EFL Cup final. Mkhitaryan's flexibility has allowed him to play on both flanks and at No 10 in recent weeks, but Mourinho will need his other forwards to step up in his absence. Worryingly, none of them have been performing quite like the Armenian lately.
Rooney's future at Old Trafford has been the subject of intense speculation recently, but could Mkhitaryan's injury give him a chance of playing in the EFL Cup final? The 31-year-old has not featured in United's last five games due to a muscular injury, but he is now back in contention having returned to training this week.
A Wembley appearance would be quite the story, but there is plenty of competition for places. Juan Mata will be confident of featuring after two goals and an assist in his last four starts, while Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford could also get the nod on the flanks. Rooney is no longer top of the pecking order, but his chances are at least better than they were. Mourinho could spring a surprise.
Bailly has come straight back into United's team since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations at the end of last month, helping them keep four clean sheets in as many starts. The Ivorian has made a positive impression since joining the club in the summer, but his two yellow cards in three minutes against St Etienne were a reminder that the 22-year-old is still learning.
Mourinho insisted his second yellow card was harsh, but Bailly had been living dangerously throughout the game. Indeed, the stats showed he made five fouls in total - more than anyone else on the pitch despite missing the final half hour. Such rashness could prove costly at Wembley.
Mourinho must also decide how best to cope without Carrick, who picked up a calf injury midway through the second half against St Etienne. The veteran midfielder had been typically impressive at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, screening the back four with his usual calmness and clocking up a 91 per cent pass success rate.
His cool-headed experience would have been invaluable in a cup final, but his absence presents a conundrum for Mourinho. Will he opt for a central midfield axis of Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba? Or will he prefer the added support of Marouane Fellaini or Bastian Schweinsteiger? Either way, the stats suggest Carrick could be a big miss.
