Jose Mourinho has slammed UEFA for staging Manchester United's final Europa League group stage game in sub-zero temperatures in Ukraine.
United are due to take on Zorya Luhansk in Odessa on Thursday, but UEFA have ordered a pitch inspection for 8am UK time amid fears the game could be called off.
The surface is icy and potentially dangerous for the players, with the temperature set to plunge to -9C.
Officials at the Chonomorets Stadium are working around the clock to ensure the surface – which has been covered and subjected to hot air blowers - is playable.
But Mourinho laid the blame firmly with UEFA, accusing them of poor planning by staging the game at a time when the sub-zero conditions were known well in advance.
“The pitch is bad, but it's very cold," said Mourinho. "The pitch is hard, the pitch is icy.
“I think UEFA know the conditions of the pitch and everyone knows that 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. So I think that is a problem.
“If the fifth fixture is here it’s the end of November and not mid-December, and that’s the problem.
“The stadium is beautiful and new. They are trying with the pitch. They are putting some warmth on it, but it’s very difficult and people cannot make miracles. Let’s hope everything goes okay.
“The hotel is good, the stadium is good, the pitch is bad. But it’s very cold and I know it’s difficult to have a better pitch.”
United’s Daley Blind tried his footing on the pitch and said: “It is like a rock.”
The visitors need a point to guarantee their place in the last 32, but could go through even if they lose, as long as Feyenoord do not beat Fenerbahce.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan knows the conditions well, having previously played in Odessa for Shakhtar Donetsk, and is expecting a tricky time:
“Tomorrow’s game will be difficult because of the weather conditions, because it’s difficult to play.
“But I think we will do our best.”