Thursday 23 February 2017 12:45, UK
Jose Mourinho insists he will not follow Manchester City's example by playing a second-string team against Chelsea in the FA Cup.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's deft touch secured a 1-0 win for Manchester United in France on Wednesday, sealing their progress to the Europa League last-16 draw.
They face a packed fixture list over the next few weeks and Mourinho was irked by the Football Association's decision to announce their FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea will be on March 13, sandwiched between their Europa League last-16 first and second legs.
The United boss 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 U21s 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 U21s. 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."
The win at St Etienne came at a cost as Mkhitaryan limped off after 25 minutes with a hamstring issue and Michael Carrick sustained a calf complaint, putting both players' hopes of facing Southampton in the EFL Cup final on Sunday in jeopardy.
Meanwhile, St Etienne boss Christophe Galtier said the "quality of the opponent" was the deciding factor across the two legs and was proud of the club's display.
"We knew that if they would have scored it would have been a mission impossible for us," he said. "They managed to do it on a small occasion, a small opportunity.
"From that moment on, the achievement was not possible for us.
"I would love for my players to have won this game for them, first of all, but also for the fans because they would have deserved it. The fans were just exceptional tonight."
