Jose sees red over Chelsea FA Cup date
Mkhitaryan wins it but may miss Wembley
JOSE MOURINHO has hit out at the decision to stage Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on a Monday night, three days before they play in the Europa League. United secured a place in tomorrow’s Europa last-16 draw with a 4-0 aggregate win in Saint-Etienne last night but the two legs will sandwich the Cup trip to Chelsea. Mourinho said: ‘Imagine we play Chelsea on Monday and go to the second match in Europe in Russia, Turkey or Greece? I think once more the interests are going in front of the clubs’ and English football’s interests, and nobody cares about it.’ Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick were both injured in France, almost certainly ruling them out of Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton at Wembley.
LIFE without Wayne Rooney continues to bring progress for Manchester United as they made it five wins in as many games played since their captain last appeared.
The only blemishes as they eased into the last 16 of the Europa League were the injuries to goalscorer Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick that are likely to rule them out of the EFL Cup final against Southampton on Sunday and the dismissal of Eric Bailly for two yellow cards in the space of three minutes in the second half.
‘I think no chance,’ manager Jose Mourinho said of the injured duo. ‘I think they are both out. A calf, a hamstring. But this is based on my experience, not my medical knowledge or tests.’
Mkhitaryan scored the only goal of the night to kill off any hopes of a Saint-Etienne comeback following United’s 3-0 win in the first leg at Old Trafford last week.
When Juan Mata received the ball on the right in the 16th minute and cut inside before curling it into the six-yard box, Mkhitaryan read the situation. He stole a yard on Loic Perrin and stuck out a leg to touch the ball past goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier.
However, the Armenian international departed midway through the first half clutching his right hamstring after chasing a throughball. He was followed by Carrick and Bailly in quick succession just after the hour mark.
Carrick limped off with a calf injury and Bailly was sent off for two challenges on Romain Hamouma. In other circumstances it might have been costly but United were heading safely through. Saint-Etienne hardly tested goalkeeper Sergio Romero as United maintained control. Perrin headed straight at Romero, who also had to beat away a late effort from Jorge Intima, but that was about it.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose hat-trick at Old Trafford had given United a commanding lead, went closest to a second goal with a swerving effort over the bar.
Progress in three cup competi- tions may continue to pose fixture problems for Mourinho — and he was quick to voice his displeasure again last night — but it could yet present Rooney with a fitting Old Trafford farewell.
Assuming he does not depart for the Far East before the transfer window shuts in China on Tuesday, one of the advantages of him staying at United would be to add to an impressive medal haul.
The Europa League is, after all, one trophy that he and United have never won in its various guises and carries the valuable bonus of giving the winners automatic qualification to next season’s Champions League.
Rooney may not be around to benefit from that, but he could lift the trophy in Stockholm on May 24, three days before the FA Cup final. What great memories to take on the final stage of his career.
SAINT-ETIENNE (4-2-3-1): Ruffier 6; Malcuit 5, Perrin 5.5, Theophile-Catherine 6, F Pogba 6; Pajot 5.5, Veretout 6 (Lemoine 68min, 6); Hamouma 6.5, Saivet 5.5 (Intima 54, 6.5), Monnet-Paquet 6; Beric 5 (Roux 59, 6).
Subs not used: Moulin, Lacroix, Selnaes, Pierre-Gabriel.
MANCHESTER UTD (4-2-3-1): Romero 6.5; Young 6, Bailly 5.5, Smalling 6.5, Blind 7; Fellaini 6, Carrick 6.5 (Schweinsteiger 62, 6); Mata 8 (Rojo 64, 6.5), P Pogba 6.5, Mkhitaryan 7 (Rashford 25, 7); Ibrahimovic 7. Subs not used: De Gea, Martial, Lingard, Valencia. Scorer: Mkhitaryan 16. Booked: Bailly. Sent off: Bailly. Man of the match: Juan Mata. Referee: Deniz Aytekin 6.5.
ERIC CANTONA fans are calling for refunds after his £60-a-head ‘An Evening With’ show was labelled ‘a farce’ on its opening night. Cantona is in Manchester at the Lowry theatre tonight and in London tomorrow having opened in Bournemouth. But the Manchester United legend’s show, organised by A1 Sporting Speakers, was booed and has been the subject of complaints. The event advertised an 8pm start time, but Cantona did not appear until an hour later after an interval preceded by a comedy act and a memorabilia auction which raised £5,450. The eventual 45-minute stage interview with Cantona was heavily criticised for posing ‘banal, closed questions’. Audience member Olly Dean told Sportsmail: ‘It was a farce. I’ve asked for a refund. I was livid by the interval. There was complete contempt for the audience.’ United fan Neil Mapletoft’s ticket cost £150, which included a chance to meet Cantona, but he says visitors were told the Frenchman did not have time for autographs. ‘Considering how much they were making on the evening they easily could have paid for someone who could ask the questions Eric and Man United fans would want to hear,’ he said. ‘Eric was only on stage for 45 minutes.’ Terry Baker of A1 Sporting Speakers said a ‘small minority’ complained. Last night in Manchester the format of the show was changed — giving Cantona more time on stage.