Jose Mourinho leapt to the defence of Marouane Fellaini in the wake of Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.

The Red Devils boss was asked by the press why he made the decision to bring on the Belgian midfielder for Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 85th minute.

The move appeared to backfire after Fellaini conceded a penalty to a Idrissa Gana Gueye, which was converted by Leighton Baines in the 89th minute.

He said: "What do you mean by that [question]?

"I thought you would know more about football than you do because the answer is obvious. Everton is not a passing team like they were. Everton is a team that plays direct. Everything is direct. Goalkeeper direct. Ashley Williams direct. Funes Mori direct.

"Everything is direct and when a team is losing and plays direct intensifies the direct football, and you have a player on the bench with two metres, you play that player in front of the defensive line to help the team win the match."