Thursday 8 December 2016 10:05, UK
Jose Mourinho has questioned UEFA's decision to allow Manchester United's Europa League clash against Zorya Luhansk to take place in Ukraine.
United are preparing to play their final Group A match at Chornomorets Stadium in Odessa on Thursday in sub-zero conditions, knowing that a point will confirm their place in the last 32 of the competition.
But with temperatures expected to plummet further overnight to -7C, Mourinho has expressed his doubts about the suitability of playing the match in Eastern Europe during December.
A routine pitch inspection is planned for 10am local time (8am GMT) on Thursday.
"The pitch is hard, the pitch is icy," the United manager said.
"I think UEFA know the conditions of the pitch and everyone knows the conditions in Ukraine and Eastern Europe in mid-December are more difficult.
"So if UEFA was worried about it, they should change the fixtures and not allow it to be played here in mid-December.
"I think that is a problem. They are trying, they are putting some warmth on top of it, but people cannot make miracles, so let's hope everything goes well."
United are yet to win on the road in Europe this season, losing both of their away fixtures against Feyenoord and Fenerbahce, but claimed victory in all three of their home fixtures.
Another defeat away from Old Trafford would prove terminal to their Europa League chances, should Feyenoord beat Fenerbahce.
With that in mind, Mourinho stressed the importance of his side arresting the slide in their away form against Zorya.
"I only can speak about my matches here and we lost at Feyenoord, which we should have won," he said.
"In Fenerbahce, another difficult place to go, we conceded in the first minute which gave them the best conditions to win.
"If we want to qualify, then we cannot lose three matches away. We need points tomorrow."
