recoveries of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones but
insists they have a future at Manchester United.
The defenders have missed United's last seven
matches in all competitions, with Smalling
struggling with a knee injury and Jones having
suffered a broken toe.
Mourinho had called on the England internationals
to "be brave" and make themselves available for
Thursday's derby match with Manchester City but
confirmed on Wednesday that neither will be ready.
The United manager's frustration with their lengthy
recoveries has led to speculation that both could be
sold in the next transfer window.
However, when asked if they could be at Old
Trafford next season, Mourinho said: "Of course
they have. I hope this season.
"It's not just about them. It's about the philosophy
and mentality around them. Cautious. Cautious.
Cautious. Just a cautious approach.
"It's a profile, it's the philosophy of work. Just
that."
Asked if modern players are less willing to take
risks with their fitness in matches, Mourinho said:
"Professional football at a high level? Yeah."
The injuries to Jones and Smalling, coupled with
the losses of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo,
Juan Mata and Paul Pogba, have left United facing
a minor injury crisis for the derby at Etihad
Stadium.
Mourinho, however, says the players at his
disposal are showing in training that they are
determined to fight for results in a crucial stage of
the season.
"I think the fact that we are fighting for important
things still is a good motivation to keep people
together, to make people make an extra effort," said
Mourinho, whose side travel to Swansea City on
Sunday and Celta Vigo in the Europa League semi-
final first leg next week.
"Wednesday's training session started at 3pm: I
was here at 10:30am and when I arrived some
players were already here, taking care of little
details and taking care of their recovery. That is
motivation.
"I think maybe opponents they look at us with
different eyes because we don't have Zlatan and
Paul and Marcos and Mata and Jones and
Smalling.
"Maybe they look at us with different eyes but I
think they are not stupid, they are not naive, and
they know that we are going to give them a fight."
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