Mourinho fielded a much-changed side in Belgium and they were woeful in the first half, going behind to Lior Refaelov's 29th-minute strike.

The Portuguese had seen enough and hauled four players off at half-time, but it made little difference as Antwerp recorded a famous win.

Dele Alli was the most notable player to be taken off as he failed to make it out for the second half for the second time in three starts this season, with Giovani Lo Celso, Steven Bergwijn and Carlos Vinicius also benched.

Although Mourinho, who took ultimate responsibility for making nine changes, did not name check the 24-year-old, it is difficult to believe he was not talking about Alli.

"Look, you know what's our best team," he said. "You know the same thing that I know, that everybody knows. But I always like to think the players deserve an opportunity.

"We have a big squad with lots of good players. It's my responsibility to give them opportunities to play and catch the chance with both hands and be in conditions to ask for more.

"And tonight my future choices are going to be very easy.

"I think it is fair to say that players with bad performances they influence the team, but also the team influences individual performances.

"So it is not for me to individualise and to bring some names to the table. You prefer to do that, before matches you always ask me why this player is not playing, why this player is not playing, why this player is not selected. Maybe now for a few weeks you don't ask me that because you have the answer."

Alli's future now is looking increasingly bleak as Mourinho is likely to freeze him out.

Royal Antwerp coach Ivan Leko, whose side were worthy winners, said: "I am a really proud coach.

"Jose Mourinho made four changes at half-time, how many times has that happened in his career?"

Australian Associated Press