Jose Mourinho unhappy with state of Beijing pitch for Manchester City clash

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted to having concerns over the "very bad" pitch conditions for his side's friendly meeting with Manchester City in Beijing.

The Red Devils have endured a number of issues over the past 24 hours, with their plane being diverted and a press conference having to be postponed due to the heat.

Further bad news could arrive, too, as a weather storm may postpone the International Champions Cup fixture before a ball is even kicked on Monday afternoon.

Mourinho's biggest concern regards the state of the playing surface, though, which he hopes will not cause any of his players an injury just three weeks from the start of the new season.

"I think Beijing is unlucky because the pitch is very bad," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "The condition of my players is more important than the results in pre-season.

"My only objective is to take the players home safe and without injury. These are no conditions to play a good game of football. If it was a friendly, it becomes a double friendly now.

"No injuries, play calm, play safe, go home and keep the preparation for next week. I hope our players and City's players can go home without injury."

Man City are said to be desperate for the game to go ahead, having sent their deputy head groundsman to Beijing to work closely with ground staff at the Bird's Nest Stadium over the past 10 days.