MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 03:08:05| >> :60:3240:3240:
[monks data]
Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 8, 2016 at 6pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Mkhitaryan (48'), Ibrahimovic (88')

Jose Mourinho unhappy with "icy" Zorya Luhansk pitch

Mourinho unhappy with Zorya pitch
© SilverHub
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho criticises UEFA for scheduling his side's crucial final Europa League group game in the icy conditions of Ukraine.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has criticised UEFA for scheduling his side's final Europa League group game in the icy conditions of Ukraine.

United go into Thursday night's meeting with Zorya Luhansk knowing that a point will be enough to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the competition, while Zorya are already out.

However, the pitch at the Chornomorets Stadium is currently frozen in places and patchy in others, and Mourinho is unhappy with the tournament's governing body for allowing the match to be played so late in the year.

"The pitch is very hard, the pitch is very icy. Called off the game? I think UEFA know the conditions of the pitch and everybody knows that in mid-December the conditions in Ukraine and Eastern Europe are more difficult," he told reporters.

"So if UEFA was worried about it, they should change the fixtures and not allow the last fixtures to be played in mid-December. If the fifth fixture is the last fixture here, it would be the end of November and not mid-December, so I think that's the problem.

"I think the stadium is beautiful, it's new, it's well taken care of. The pitch is the same. They are trying, they are putting some warmth on the top of it, but the pitch is very difficult and people cannot make miracles. Let's hope everything goes well."

United could still win their group if they better Fenerbahce's result against Feyenoord, although defeat coupled with a Feyenoord win would send them crashing out of the competition.

ID:286865: cacheID:286865:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2509:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Shakhtar players celebrate a goal during the Europa League quarter-final between Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga on April 14, 2016
Read Next:
EL roundup: Three sides maintain perfect records
>
Read more about Jose Mourinho Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QWest Ham650115
QFreiburg640212
3Olympiacos62137
4Backa Topola60151

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrighton641113
QMarseille632111
3Ajax61235
4AEK Athens61144

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QRangers632111
QSparta Prague631210
3Betis63039
4Aris Limassol61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QAtalanta642014
QSporting Lisbon632111
3Sturm Graz61144
4Rakow61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QLiverpool640212
QToulouse632111
3Union SG62228
4LASK61053

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QVillarreal641113
QRennes640212
3M. Haifa61235
4Panathinaikos61144

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QSlavia Prague650115
QRoma641113
3Servette61235
4Sheriff Tiraspol60151

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QB. Leverkusen660018
QQarabag631210
3Molde62137
4Hacken60060

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!