Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho defended his team selection for their Europa League win at St Etienne.

The injuries to Henrikh Mkhitaryan (hamstring) and Michael Carrick (calf) were big blows on a night when United secured a 1-0 win to wrap up a comfortable aggregate victory, with Mourinho insisting he was right to play such a strong team.

“You can be injured leaving your house. You can be injured in the garden. You never know when and why," said Mourinho, as he was asked why he decided to play such a strong team.

“It's the result of so many matches. This is always a risk. When someone is missing, it is an opportunity for another one.

“Obviously they are important players for us and not to have them both for the final is complicated, but it is an opportunity for another one."