I think you treat some of the good players who aren't playing well differently. If you drop an average player for playing average that doesn't really mean anything, it doesn't send a message out and by playing out of form superior players ahead of them doesn't create competition for places. The minutes players like Lingard and Fellaini have been getting not only give them confidence but also has put that fire in the likes of martial mkhi and earlier in the season Herrera before he secured his place. If the players rise to the challenge they get their place, but now they know they won't keep them if they don't perform. Its pretty straightforward management but looking on from a fan it can be frustrating when its so obvious players such as martial and mkhi are two of the most talented players in the squad.
Having said that Pogba and Ibra seem exempt from that rule and I can only conclude it is because they have very different more ego driven attitudes than others in the squad, They are very talented, very special players and I think Mourinhos attitude to these is ' I trust you, go do what I've brought you in here for' I don't have a problem with that as different players need different management, Cantona for instance never received any criticism from fergie. Mourinho gets the psychology more than anyone else and I can only assume he is doing the right thing.
