Manchester United's decisive Europa League tie is set to go ahead tonight - despite Jose Mourinho's concerns over the frozen pitch.

Staff have been working around the clock at the Chonomorets Stadium to ensure the playing surface is playable after the temperature in Odessa plunged to -9C.

UEFA officials and those from Zorya Luhansk, United's opponents, are confident the match will go ahead as planned at 6pm UK time, with the temperature having risen to 2C.

The pitch is icy and potentially hazardous for the players.

Ashley Young takes to the frozen pitch on Wednesday (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
The pitch was covered overnight (
Image:
PA)
Heaters were also used on the frozen surface (
Image:
PA)

But Mourinho was in no mood to spare UEFA any blame, holding them responsible for the state of the pitch by staging the game in early December.

“The pitch is bad, but it's very cold," said Mourinho. "The pitch is hard, the pitch is icy.

Jose Mourinho believes the playing surface in Odessa could pose a threat to player safety (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
The pitch is rock hard in Odessa (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
United trained at the stadium on Wednesday (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

“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.

"They are trying, they are putting some warmth on top of it, but people cannot make miracles, so let's hope everything goes well."

United are concerned with the Chernomorets stadium in Odessa (
Image:
Getty)
Mourinho revealed his concern during his press conference (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan knows the conditions well, having previously played in Odessa for Shakhtar Donetsk, and is expecting a tricky time tonight.

“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.”

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