Jose Mourinho fumes as Manchester United’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea is moved to Monday night on Europa League week
Mourinho says he feels shocked that the FA Cup quarter-final TV matches have been decided before Friday's European draw
JOSE MOURINHO has vented his fury after Man United's FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea was moved to a Monday night.
The Red Devils face a Europa League last 16 clash three days later and the Special One is worried that his side could end up with a long-distance away trip.
He said: “I feel really surprised that the decision is made before our draw in Europe, because at this moment nobody knows where we play, where the first and second matches are.
Keep up to date with ALL the MANCHESTER UNITED news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
“Imagine we play Chelsea on Monday and go to the second match in Europe in Russia, Turkey or Greece?
“I think once more the interests are going in front of the clubs and English football’s interests, and nobody cares about it."
But he added that no matter what happens he will not field a severely weakened side at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho commented: “I cannot play against Chelsea with the second team, I cannot play 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.
Related Stories
"I have to make some rotation but some of the boys will have to play in all these consecutive matches."
United got through to Friday's Europa League draw with Henrikh Mkhitaryan's goal securing a 4-0 aggregate win over Saint-Etienne.
But Eric Bailly was controversially sent off and will miss the first leg in the last 16.