Manchester United have been on a good run of late in all the competitions they are still part of. Currently placed in the sixth spot, the most successful club of English football is still very much on the run for a direct qualification for next year’s UEFA Champions League. However, the focus of the fans of the Red Devils is currently on the UEFA Europa League 2016-17, in which they are scheduled to play against Russian side FC Rostov in the first leg of the ‘Round of 16’ tie.
Things have been fairly smooth for Manchester United in the Europa League despite a couple of defeats in the group stage of the tournament. In fact, they are one of the favorites to lift the title this year in the absence of too many powerful opponents in the tournament. But what might come in their way in an easy in the first leg of the ‘Round of 16’ encounter against FC Rostov is the playing pitch. Jose Mourinho has been extremely unhappy with the conditions of the outfield in the Olimp-2 stadium which will host the Manchester United vs FC Rostov match.
Mourinho has gone vocal against the organizers of the committee as he looked very much worried with the pitch. This is because of the idea that the field might result in several injuries to the players and he doesn’t want to lose any of his big guns ahead of a very crucial phase in the season. In fact, news has also come that Mourinho might not field the best playing eleven in order to protect the players from sustaining any sort of an injury although the trueness of the update is subject to further observation when Manchester United take the field against FC Rostov. The United boss has been quoted saying, “It’s hard for me to believe we are going to play on that field – if you can call it a field.”
In the wake of Jose’s rants, UEFA performed an inspection of the field and have come out with the decision that the match will go on. They have released the statement that tells that the field “may not be in perfect condition, but has been deemed playable”. And the Manchester United vs FC Rostov encounter is all set to go on as per the schedule in spite of all the reluctance shown by United’s manager Jose Mourinho.
