Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims Thursday night football on the Europa League trail is 'killing' him and damaging Manchester United's Premier League challenge this season.

United arrived home from Ukraine in the early hours of Friday after a three-hour journey from Odessa, having clinched their place in the last 32 of Europe's secondary competition with a 2-0 win over Zorya Luhansk.

It has left Jose Mourinho's side little time to prepare for Sunday's encounter with fifth-placed Tottenham at Old Trafford which United desperately need to win to stay in touch with the leading pack.

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says the Europa League is 'killing' him

Their record after European games has contributed to a slow start in the Premier League, with the five Group A ties being followed by two defeats, two draws and only one win.

Ibrahimovic, 35, has made more appearances than any other outfield player at United this season and claims playing later in the week has taken its toll.

He said: 'We don't have a lot of rest because these Thursdays are killing you, especially me.

Ibrahimovic, who scored on Thursday, believes United haven't been able to recover properly

Ibrahimovic has now scored seven in his last six games for United

'I am not used to playing Thursdays and now we have one day less to recover. We have to get back to work and play the new game on Sunday.'

With only 19 goals scored in 14 league games, Mourinho's side are lagging behind West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace. United need more from Wayne Rooney in particular.

He has scored only four in all competitions since February and was last on target in the league against Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the season.

Jose Mourinho has seen his side fail to win four of their last five Premier League games

Mourinho's struggles have been compounded by his recent controversy on the touchline

The United captain was replaced in the second half in Odessa after an ineffective performance, and Mourinho said: 'We expect more goals from him, yes, but we expect more goals from everyone in the team.'

Victory on Sunday would close the gap on Tottenham to three points but Ander Herrera is struggling to comprehend how United have allowed themselves to drop so far off the top four.

'I don't know the stats but we are creating more chances than last season and we are conceding less chances, but we are worse off in the table,' said Herrera. 'I cannot believe it.'