Football
ESPN staff 7y

Manchester United's Jose Mourinho upset by FC Rostov playing surface

Jose Mourinho says UEFA dismissed his complaints that FC Rostov's pitch is dangerous by saying the Manchester United players are insured.

Mourinho, speaking at his prematch news conference ahead of United's round-of-16 first leg tie against Rostov in Russia, raised concerns about a playing surface that opposition manager Ivan Daniliants has said will be a "problem" for both sides.

"It's still hard for me to believe that we are going to play [there]," Mourinho said. "I know that we have to, but it is hard for me to believe we are going to play [on Thursday] on that field -- if you can call it a field.

"And I don't know what team to play, really. I don't know if Henrikh Mkhitaryan is going to play, I don't know.

"I have now a lot to think [about] because I was expecting something more playable.

"In a very similar pitch in the summer in China, we and Manchester City decided not to play. But it looks like we have to play."

It is not the first time Mourinho has been infuriated by UEFA's decision to make a Europa League match go ahead despite issues with the surface.

In December, the Portuguese was angry with European football's governing body for making United play the Europa League group-stage decider at Zorya Luhansk on a frozen pitch.

"I didn't have any contact with anyone until now [about the pitch]," Mourinho said. "I just had a quick contact with one gentleman from UEFA when I was looking at the pitch.

"And when I told him about my concerns, the gentleman just told me, 'The players are insured, if something happens no problem.'"

Daley Blind, who attended the news conference alongside Mourinho, added: "The pitch is not good maybe for safety as well, but you have to gather your mind and be fully concentrated on the game."

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