Mourinho admits he can't afford to rest fatigued Lukaku

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho admitted he cannot afford to give fatigued players like Romelu Lukaku much of a break despite his team playing three matches over the next seven days.

The Portuguese tactician said Lukaku is "physically a monster but he's not a machine," adding that he believes the Belgium international is starting to feel the stress of playing too many minutes without rest.

However, when asked about his striker options for the upcoming tilt against Southampton, Mourinho admitted he has little choice but to continue playing Lukaku up top, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn't entirely fit and raring to go, either.

"I think for a striker, for any player, (it's) absolutely incredible," Mourinho said of Lukaku's workload. "But if you are central defender, if you are a holding midfield player, if you are in certain kinds of positions where you can control your energy and positional play a little bit more, you can resist and survive.

"But, for a striker in the Premier League, to play 20 matches, 90 minutes, I have to be very grateful for his personality and for his character. He's been unlucky in our box in recent matches. He was in the picture, I'm not saying he was a direct influence, in some of the latest goals we conceded.

"It's a consequence of a player who really needs a little rest or just a consequence of the moment of the occasion. But the guy is fantastic for me and the team and gives absolutely everything and I have no criticisms."