José Mourinho has questioned why Manchester United’s final game of the Premier League season cannot be brought forward by 24 hours to help them prepare better for next Wednesday’s Europa League final against Ajax.
The manager claimed that “in any country in the world,” the match against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford would be played on Saturday, rather than Sunday, because it is meaningless for both clubs. In England, however, Mourinho said there had never been any concessions to clubs that go far in European competitions.
He announced he would play some of Nicky Butt’s academy youngsters against Palace and he mentioned Joel Pereira, Demitri Mitchell, Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe, Matty Willock, Josh Harrop and Zachary Dearnley.
“We are sixth, Crystal Palace are safe, it doesn’t matter,” Mourinho said. “I think after the moment Crystal Palace beat Hull City [last Sunday] and Hull City is relegated and Swansea is safe – in that moment, our match has to be Saturday. In any country in the world, it would be Saturday. Have I asked the FA? I don’t lose time. When I know the battle is lost, I don’t fight the battle.
“I am here already seven years and I never saw any detail of trying to care about the English teams involved in European competitions. I never saw that with Chelsea, I never saw that with Manchester United, I never saw that with Manchester City last year. It’s just a lost battle.
“It’s frustrating for me. I hope you don’t kill me when you see my team [against Palace]. I hope the fans at Old Trafford support the team, they forgive some naivety, they forgive some lack of confidence. And I hope that Big Sam [Allardyce] shows he’s a good friend and he goes slow. He tells to Zaha to go slow, he leaves Benteke at home. I hope he goes soft on us.
“Pogba will come in because he is not training or playing since his dad passed away. I will put two or three of my [senior] boys rotating during the games. I need to give a little stretch to four or five of my [senior] boys and to give some stability to the kids because I do not think the kids by themselves will be in condition to play the game.”