Mourinho: Our last match should be moved
Jose Mourinho has criticised the Premier League for not moving Manchester United’s final game of the domestic season to give them more preparation time for next Wednesday’s Europa League final against Ajax.
The manager has made little secret of the fact his priority has long been the Europa final, which after the EFL Cup could secure their second major trophy of the season and qualification for next season’s Champions League.
He again fielded an under-strength XI in last night’s 0-0 draw at Southampton, omitting Marcus Rashford, Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba and David de Gea, as goalkeeper Sergio Romero’s performance earned them a draw.
Mourinho insists the fact United will finish sixth regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s visit of Crystal Palace and that their visitors are also safe from relegation, with three teams already down, means they should instead be playing on Saturday.
He also said he had made no attempt to request a change in date because he is convinced it would be rejected, adding “I hope you don’tkillmewhenyouseemy team”.
“In any country in the world the match would be Saturday, because Sunday we are sixth, doesn’t matter what, and Crystal Palace are safe,” said the Portuguese. “So after the moment Palace beat Hull and Hull are relegated, and Swansea is safe, in that moment the match has to be Saturday, in any country in the world it would be Saturday. (But) it’s going to be Sunday.
“It’s frustrating for me. I hope you don’t kill me when you see my team. I don’t lose time (requesting a switch I don’t believe they would grant). When I know the battle is lost I don’t fight.
“The next match Joel (Pereira, United’s 20-yearold third-choice goalkeeper) is playing his first match in the Premier League.”
Mourinho dismissed injury concerns surrounding Maroune Fellaini and Juan Mata, despite the former having a “a bad feeling in the hamstring”. He also reiterated his optimism that De Gea would remain at the club, having earlier confirmed he would not play again this season, and amid increasing speculation linking the Spaniard with a transfer to Real Madrid.
The closest United came to scoring was when Anthony Martial struck the post in the second half, but Southampton had had a fifth-minute penalty from Manolo Gabbiadini saved by Romero, who repeatedly frustrated the hosts.
Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger plans to review manager Claude Puel’s future at the season’s end, and after his team failed to score for the fourth home game in succession, sections of their supporters booed them off.
Watford will begin their searchforaninthmanagerin just five years after announcing they will part company with Walter Mazzarri.
Mazzarri’s fate was sealed in a meeting with the board yesterday. His final game in charge will be at home to Manchester City on Sunday.
The 55-year-old Italian signed a three-year contract last summer, but will leave after just one term in charge, with the side 16th following five successive defeats.