Young, 31, was left out of the squad for the 4-0 home win against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

Speaking at his postmatch news conference, Mourinho was asked about reports linking Wayne Rooney to China and the Portuguese replied: "The only player I am aware of a possibility to leave is Ashley Young. He's a player I'd like to keep and I am not happy if he leaves but he's the only possibility.

"That's why he didn't play [against Wigan]. That's why I gave chances to other people."

Those opportunities included defender Axel Tuanzebe, 19, and goalkeeper Joel Pereira, 20, both being given their United senior debuts, as second-half substitutes. Before Tuanzebe came on, Mourinho was seen on the touchline shaking hands with Wigan manager Warren Joyce -- who was the former Manchester United Under-21s manager and helped nurture the youngsters before joining the Latics.

Mourinho said: "The first matches are always a nice moment for every player. It was nice to give them the opportunity but it was not my work. The work was made in the academy and, in Joel's case, also in Portugal [on loan at Belenenses earlier this season]."

Anthony Martial was also brought back into the team and responded with two assists for goals, delivering for Chris Smalling and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Frenchman had been left out of United's two most recent matchday squads, in the 1-1 Premier League draw away against Stoke City and also the 2-1 EFL Cup semifinal second-leg defeat [winning 3-2 on aggregate] away against Hull City.

The United manager was also asked about still being in four competitions this season, to which he said: "Realistically, the Premier League is almost an impossible mission. I don't think about it. I just think about the next match, which is not an impossible mission.

"In the League Cup, we have a 50 percent chance of winning it. In the FA Cup, we are in the last 16. In the Europa League, we are in the last 32. There are a lot of matches to play."