Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho hinted that members of his much-changed side have played themselves into contention for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Tottenham following Wednesday's Premier League victory over Bournemouth.
Mourinho lambasted his charges after Sunday’s defeat to Championship-bound West Brom, labeling them “masters of complication”, and duly made seven changes to his starting line-up for the trip to the south coast.
Strikes from Chris Smalling and substitute Romelu Lukaku returned second-placed United to winning ways and the 20-time top-flight champions are a now a maximum of two points away from guaranteeing a place in next season’s Champions League.
“I would say that every player on the pitch was positive and made himself available for Saturday,” said Mourinho.
“Everything was different [to Sunday]. Everything was faster and simple and the players were in the right positions, not trying one more flick or one more trick.
“Everything was good and I am happy that the result was also good because the players can have that positive feeling.”
The defeat meant Bournemouth failed to increase the 10-point cushion they have from the relegation zone, and manager Eddie Howe insists his side still have work to do. He said: “We’re not quite safe.”
United opened the scoring on 28 minutes when an exquisite pass from Ander Herrera released Jesse Lingard, whose ball across the six-yard box was poked home by a sliding Smalling for his fourth goal of the campaign.
The visitors doubled their advantage and all but settled matters with 20 minutes remaining as Lukaku fired over advancing Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic following a lung-busting run from Paul Pogba.
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