Mourinho aims dig at City, blasts scheduling again

Matt Stead

Jose Mourinho aimed a dig at Manchester City in yet another complaint over Manchester United’s packed fixture schedule.

United reached the last-16 stage of the Europa League on Wednesday, beating St Etienne to secure a 4-0 aggregate win. He played an almost full-strength side; will he pay for his lack of tinkering?

They are also in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, while they face Southampton in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.

In total, Mourinho’s side could play 67 games this season, while they are also vying for Champions League qualification through their Premier League placing.

There is little let-up on the horizon and the United boss was irked by the Football Association having already announced the FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea will be on Monday, 13 March, sandwiched between their Europa League last-16 first and second legs.

Mourinho was perplexed by the decision to announce the date before Friday’s European draw and took a shot at the organisers, as well as a swipe at rivals Manchester City after their much-changed side last season lost 5-1 at Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Asked if he was worried the FA Cup scheduling would hinder his chances of progress, Mourinho said: “Of course and I feel really surprised that the decision is made before our draw in Europe.

“Because in this moment nobody knows where we play, nobody knows where the first and second matches are.

“Imagine we play Chelsea on Monday and then we have to go to the second match in Europe in Russia, Turkey or Greece.

“I think once more the interests, they go in front of the clubs and English football’s interests, and nobody cares about it. But this is what I have.

“I cannot play against Chelsea with the second team. I cannot play against Chelsea with the under-21s like Manchester City did last year. I cannot do that – we are Manchester United.

“I don’t do that as Manchester United manager. I don’t do that to the FA Cup because the FA Cup is not guilty of these decisions.

“The FA Cup is beautiful, the competition is historical. I have to treat Manchester United supporters and the FA Cup in the right way.

“I cannot go there with under-21s. Probably they would deserve it, but I don’t do that, so what is going to happen is an accumulation of matches.

“People playing a lot of matches, I have to make some rotation but some of the boys will have to play in all these consecutive matches.

“And if situations like the Mkhitaryan one or the Carrick one happen, they happen.”