Manchester United’s reward for beating St Etienne 1-0 (4-0 on aggregate) in the Europa League is a tie against Russian club Rostov in the last 16.
Despite being the lowest ranked team left in the competition, a trip to Russia was hardly the best preparation ahead of a trip to Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter finals.
Rostov a difficult trip
Manager Jose Mourinho told manutd.com that a lengthy trip to Rostov would make it a ‘difficult’ tie.
He said: “It’s a bad draw in every aspect. It’s far and is difficult. It’s far and comes in a bad period for us. It’s difficult because they are a very difficult team, they had a very good Champions League campaign.
“They beat Ajax and Anderlecht in the play-offs and then in the group phase they obviously had a very difficult group with Bayern and Atletico and they managed important results against them. They beat Bayern and drew Atletico, they got third position leaving PSV out.
Tribute to Claudio Ranieri
The Portuguese manager wore a T-shirt to his Friday press conference at the Aon Training complex bearing the initials “CR” in tribute to Claudio Ranieri who was sacked as Leicester City manager after he arrived back in England following a defeat against Sevilla in midweek.
The also led the tributes to his former rival in Italian football who, like him during his time at Chelsea, was sacked months after winning the Premier League title for the Foxes following a disastrous title defence.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQ302Ucgpc_/?taken-by=josemourinho
Wayne Rooney to be involved at Wembley in the EFL Cup final
Mourinho has already confirmed that Wayne Rooney, who announced he would be staying at Old Trafford despite heavy speculation over an imminent move to China, would be involved at Wembley in some capacity.
Injury to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick at St Etienne on Wednesday has put pressure on United’s squad as they enter a run of games which starts on Sunday with the EFL Cup final against Southampton.
5 games in 15 days for Manchester United – their March game schedule
Saturday March 4 – Bournemouth Home (Premier League)
Thursday March 9 – Rostov Away (Europa League)
Monday March 13 – Chelsea Away (FA Cup Quarter Final)
Thursday March 16 – Rostov Home (Europa League)
Sunday March 19 – Middlesbrough Away (Premier League)