Manchester United travel to war torn Ukraine to take on FC Zorya, with the home team moving the match over serious security issues. However, the sociopolitical climate isn’t the only kind of climate having adverse effects on this tie. Heading to this part of the world to play a UEFA Europa League match in December means having to deal with the wintry elements, as that issue is rearing its ugly head.
The pitch is freezing over and the icy conditions have been pointed out by United manager Jose Mourinho. The Portugese has ripped UEFA over this. Indeed he has not holding back.
Pitch already beginning to freeze in Odessa. pic.twitter.com/KdmzmifjzN
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) December 7, 2016
Listen to the sound the pitch makes. Daley Blind says it is "like a rock". Paul Pogba just laughed. #MUFC players don't look happy pic.twitter.com/Pn9SCS36Lp
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) December 7, 2016
“The pitch is very hard, it is icy,” Mourinho said in the pre-match press conference. “I think UEFA knows the conditions of the pitch. Everybody knows that in mid-December, the conditions in Ukraine and Eastern Europe are more difficult.
“If they are concerned, they should not allow the last fixture to be played here in December. The fifth fixture is in late November and they should not play here in December.
“Our flight here was good, the hotel is good, the stadium is good, but the pitch is bad. It is very cold and I know it is very difficult to have a better pitch. The people are trying to make it better and put heat on it, but they cannot do miracles, so let us hope that all goes well.”
This is their last chance to advance in Europe’s consolation bracket, and as we detailed here, maybe their best chance overall to reach the Champions League next season.
A Red Devils loss, plus a Feyenoord win gets Jose Mourinho‘s side eliminated from Europe. United have lost five in a row, and eight of their last nine European away matches, registering a draw in the other. Ridiculously bad conditions like this do not help, but of course Zorya has to play in the same situation too, so it can’t really be too much an excuse.
Here’s the link to a list of all the United players unavailable for this one, and here’s the link to our United starting XI prediction.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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