Jose: Ibra Not Ready To Start Against Basel

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic will again be on the bench for Wednesday's Champions League match at Basel.

The Swede is fit again after injury and returned to action for the last 15 minutes when United beat Newcastle 4-1 on Saturday.

However, Mourinho does not think the 36-year-old is ready to be thrown into the fray from the start yet, although he expects to bring him on at some point in Switzerland.

Mourinho told the media on Tuesday: "Zlatan goes on the bench tomorrow.

"He needs to play and he is useful for us.

"If we are in a winning position, like we were against Newcastle, we need him on the pitch, because he keeps the ball, he keeps possession. He drops into areas where he gives stability to the team

"If the team is not winning, his presence on the pitch will be important and it will be positive for him to play with (Romelu) Lukaku.

"Normally, he is going to play, and I would say it will be a little bit more comfortable for him to play a bit more than he did the last match.

"Instead of 15 [minutes], I would say 20, 25. But [he is in] no condition to start."

With regard to other team news, Mourinho said Phil Jones will be absent against Basel and will also miss the visit of Brighton on Saturday but his fellow defender Eric Bailly may be able to return at the weekend.

Credit: Skysports.com