Big Sam agrees with Mourinho on match

JOSE Mourinho’s quest for the Europa League has been handicapped by the Premier League, agrees Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce.

And Allardyce says he would have willingly helped out United by agreeing to a fixture switch.

The final day matches are traditionally played all at the same time on the Sunday to be fair to all concerned in any last day issues.

Allardyce takes Palace to Old Trafford on Sunday just four days before United’s final in Stockholm against Ajax and the match is a dead rubber. Big Sam says the League should have stepped in immediately and brought the fixture forward 24 hours to help United in Sweden.

“They could easily have changed it last week and said we will give you the best chance to try to win the Europa League,” Allardyce said.

“It’s a great shame that we are not like other counties who will bend over in fixture terms to help their teams win European competitions.

“When you look at Jose’s fixture list this will be his 63rd game on Sunday. It’s a tremendous effort but no help unfortunately from the Premier League to give him the best chance of winning a trophy that Manchester United haven’t won.

“That would happen abroad. They would change the fixtures for you.”

Allardyce insists Palace would have agreed to change the match to this Saturday.

“No problem at all,” he added. “Why would I not want to help one of our Premier League clubs win a European competition?

“For us, it’s an easy ask.”