The sight of Marcos Rojo eating a banana during Manchester United's Europa League win against Rostov raised a smile - but Jose Mourinho insists it was no laughing matter.
A bloated, uneven fixture schedule has pushed some of United's players to the limits at a crunch time in the season.
Mourinho is well aware of the stresses on his players and sent over some emergency nourishment to Rojo as Thursday's crunch Europa League last-16 second leg with Rostov came to a close.
Substitute Ashley Young passed a banana to the Argentina international to give him some much-needed energy, which was needed as the Russians pushed hard to cancel out Juan Mata's goal.
"I don't know if you have been tired at any time in your life," Mourinho told broadcasters after the 1-0 win second-leg win.
"I was tired many times and I know what are the limits of the body and when the body needs anything... anything!
"The player asked for a banana and it is not to laugh at all, it is to respect the players and their limits. They gave absolutely everything."
Source: PA
