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Jose Mourinho wants Manchester United's Europa League clash with FC Rostov called off.

The United manager is furious at the state of the pitch at the Olimp-2 Stadium where the first leg of the last-16 tie is due to take place on Thursday.

Any appeal would have to be lodged with UEFA by Thursday afternoon but United officials fear a request will fall on deaf ears and expect the game to go ahead.

However, there are worries among United's staff that playing on the surface is a risk to the players' safety.

Mourinho's anger at the situation has been exacerbated after claiming one UEFA official told him it was 'no problem' if players suffered injuries because they are insured.

The 54-year-old has admitted the state of the pitch – which is hard and has large areas without grass - will force him to make changes to the starting line-up he had in mind.

He has confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic will start but was said he was unsure about whether or not to risk Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.

United trained in the stadium on Wednesday afternoon, but only in one corner and away from the main problem areas.

Earlier in the day FC Rostov agreed with a request from UEFA to train at a different venue to protect the pitch.

The Russian side, who sit seventh in their domestic league, have only lost once at home this season – to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. They have already beaten Bayern Munich, Ajax and Sparta Prague.

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