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Mourinho fears Man Utd fixture pile-up

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho expressed concern on Wednesday that the Premier League’s fixture planners could ruin his side’s top-four hopes if they reach the League Cup final.

United carry a 2-0 lead into Thursday’s League Cup semi-final second leg at Hull City and will face either Liverpool or Southampton at Wembley on February 26 if they progress.
If they do reach the final, the derby fixture with Manchester City scheduled for that weekend will be moved and Mourinho is concerned television demands could see it rearranged for an inconvenient time.
“For the match against Manchester City, I am sure they will choose an amazing moment, difficult for us, to make us play against them,” Mourinho told his pre-match press conference at United’s training base.
“Then there is the Europa League. The Europa League is a non-stop competition. The Champions League has the last 16. In the Europa League, you have to play last 32, last 16.
“If we progress, it’s going to be really difficult, but let’s see.”
With the club going strong in four competitions, they could end up playing 66 games by the end of the season and that does not include possible FA Cup replays.
That would take United close to the all-time record for an English club in one season, held by Arsenal, who played 70 competitive matches during the 1979-80 campaign.
United are sixth in the Premier League, 14 points below leaders Chelsea, and host second-tier Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.


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