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Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho demands major Champions League rule change
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho wasn't happy with his side playing on an artificial pitch against Young Boys on Tuesday evening and has questioned why the Champions League allows them in the competition.
Jose Mourinho comments on Young Boys' artificial surface
The Red Devils got their European campaign off to a flyer this week, beating the Swiss outfit 3-0 away from home.
Manchester United players clearly didn't mind the surface at the Stade de Suisse as Paul Pogba netted twice before Anthony Martial scored in the second period.
But Mourinho insisted his stars were feeling the effects in training the next day after playing on the 4G pitch and has called into question whether Europe's biggest club competition should change the rules regarding artificial turf.
"Now I can say, I don’t understand how you can play the best club competition on artificial pitch," he said.
It’s not easy, especially not for people who are adapted to it
"You know, probably some fear injuries.
"I had some players after training yesterday – light training – and they were feeling ankles, back pains, sore.
"It’s not easy, especially not for people who are adapted to it.
"Also a little bit of a fear in the duels, people are used to great surfaces in England, always watered if not rain – the clubs they provide the water and the football is much more beautiful that way."
Despite his qualms about the playing conditions, Mourinho was happy with his side in their first Champions League outing as they made it three away wins on the spin.
"Job done," he said.
"Not phenomenal but good enough.
"They were intense, compact and had self esteem.
"Then after the first goal the game was under control.
"We tried to score the goals that gave us the stability for the second half.
"It is important for us to win because probably every team is going to get six points against Young Boys.
"Now we have two important matches against Valencia and Juventus.
"They are very good opponents."