Jose Mourinho Comments on Marcos Rojo After Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insisted Marcos Rojo is a clean player after the defender's dangerous-looking two-footed tackle at Crystal Palace on Wednesday. 

The Argentinian escaped with a just yellow card despite jumping in with both feet to dispossess Wilfried Zaha in the first half. He was equally fortunate not to have been dismissed for a similarly rash challenge on Everton's Idrissa Gueye earlier in December.

Following United's 2-1 win at Selhurst Park—Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a late winner to prevent the Red Devils registering a seventh Premier League draw of the season—Mourinho refused to comment on Rojo's tackle.

However, the United boss did defend his character, per Sky Sports' Jack Wilkinson: "He is playing phenomenal. He's playing really well. He's a clean player. He's aggressive in his nature, Argentinian. He's emotional but very clean. I didn't comment on David Luiz on Marouane Fellaini. I didn't comment [Danny] Rose on [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan. I'm not going to comment on this one."

Rojo avoiding a red card was not the only questionable decision made during United's clash with Palace.

The Manchester outfit's opener from Paul Pogba on the stroke of half-time should arguably not have stood, while the visitors were denied a penalty in the second half and also had a Juan Mata goal incorrectly ruled out for offside, per BT Sport pundit Robbie Savage:

However, the incident involving Rojo was notable for how similar a situation it was to the tackle he made against Everton.

On both occasions, he went into the challenge off the ground, with both feet and with studs showing.

As noted by Mourinho, Rojo has been excellent of late, as he has enjoyed a run in the side playing next to Phil Jones in central defence. The pair are arguably enjoying the best spells of their respective United careers.

However, per tactics writer Michael Cox, the 26-year-old Argentina international still needs to improve on his decision-making:

Rojo was lucky to avoid a straight red card against both Palace and Everton and cannot continue to make such rash challenges.

As it is, though, he will be available for United's trip to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, when they'll look to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 matches.