Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho blasts Premier League fixture schedule: 'They don’t give an “S” about English teams in Europe'

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Jose Mourinho delivered a devastating blow to the Premier League, seething at their self-importance and claiming the country’s elite clubs are put out to pasture in Europe.

The Manchester United manager has been enraged at fixture scheduling all season but now appears at breaking point after Paul Pogba’s hamstring injury against Rostov on Thursday night.

Mourinho left officials in no doubt that top bosses are desperate for more help while competing on the continent - and suggested money is their only driving force.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho blasted the Premier League for their fixture schedule

Paul Pogba was substituted against Rostov after sustaining hamstring injury in Europa League

He fumed that United’s challenge for the top four could go up in smoke for reaching the last-eight of the Europa League, angered by their early kick-off at Middlesbrough this Sunday.

‘They don’t give an “S” about English teams in Europe. They simply don’t care,’ Mourinho said. ‘There are other interests that are more important. In other countries they try to do that little support to the teams in Europe. We go Sunday at 12 o’clock. Why? Why us?

‘Nobody can give me that explanation. Why don’t we play five o’clock? We should be the last team to play in the weekend - it is as simple as that.

Daley Blind also departed early in the European tie ahead of Middlesbrough game on Sunday

‘We should play Monday or we should play the last match on Sunday. At least let us sleep a little bit on Sunday, right? We have to wake up at seven o’clock to eat and come to the game.

‘It’s the simple criteria of “we give you so much money” which is true, and we appreciate that. But you can do that and just have a little touch.

‘Even a physical monster like Paul felt it. I think in England it’s a little bit... “he gets millions, let him run. If it breaks, it breaks - he’s insured. No problem”.’

Mourinho’s frustrations - first aired at United during an interview with Sportsmail in September - are likely to cause consternation at the FA and Premier League headquarters.

Marcos Rojo required a banana to up his energy levels Mourinho puts it down to fatigue

Juan Mata's goal was eventually enough to edge out a 1-0 win over the Russians at Old Trafford

The Portuguese is baffled at the lack of assistance and believes disastrous campaigns in Europe are hampering the top flight.

He is likely to bring the issue up during this summer’s Premier League managers’ meeting with evidence from other countries.

Mourinho cannot understand why English sides are not afforded the same flexibility as their German, Italian and most other European rivals, who regularly switch matches to suit continental ambitions.

The 54-year-old is also concerned for his players’ welfare and puts a jaded Marcos Rojo requiring a banana during the second half on Thursday down to a lack of rest.

The United boss called for more flexibility from the Premier League for teams in Europe

‘It’s just a little bit of common sense, if they want,’ he added. ‘If they are happy with having one English club in the Champions League and one club in the Europa League... wow.

‘Aren’t we good enough to have more teams in the Champions League and Europa League? I think we are good enough to have more.

‘For some the banana story was a funny situation. I did not think it was a funny situation. When I watch marathons, when I watch other sports and people go to the limit I don’t think it’s funny.

‘I don’t think it’s funny that some of our players have played 11 matches in six weeks, playing last Monday with 10 men, enjoying five hours on the M6 coming back and then on Thursday some of them - like Marcos - were at their limit.’