Jose Mourinho curses 'poisoned gift' with crunch Manchester United games falling either side of Europa League tie

• e-mail

Jose Mourinho bemoaned Manchester United’s ‘poisoned gift’ as he again took aim for a lack of help in Europe.

The United manager faces a huge decision over whether or not to rest key players for a crucial Europa League clash against Fenerbahce next month, sandwiched between trips to Liverpool and Chelsea.

They play Liverpool at Anfield on a Monday night and Mourinho was agitated after Thursday's slender victory against Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho believes the fixture computer could have been kinder to Manchester United

The Portuguese laments the fact his side face two title rivals either side of a Europa League tie

‘We have to play seriously in the Europa League,’ he said. ‘We could play Liverpool on the Saturday or the Sunday. We play Liverpool on the Monday.

'We don’t have the best conditions because we play against two top Premier League teams who don’t have European competition.

‘We have this poisoned gift with playing on the Monday which gives us a very difficult situation but we want to try to carry on in the competition.

‘I think it’s impossible, the poisoned gift is already there. We just have to play Monday, Thursday and then the Sunday.’ 

Mourinho has to prepare his side to face Liverpool on a Monday and Chelsea the next Sunday

The former Chelsea manager has the task of beating Fenerbahce in between the two games

United registered just two shots on target against the Ukrainians, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s header winning it after Wayne Rooney scuffed goalwards. 

Mourinho was also involved in a furious exchange with his bench, with assistant Rui Faria appearing to give Paul Pogba incorrect instructions on the touchline.

The Portuguese then strode over to his coaching staff to berate Giovanni Cerra, pointing a finger angrily at the assistant.

Mourinho explained afterwards: 'It was set pieces, organisation, they changed their team before the game.

Mourinho was clearly annoyed by something before a ball was even kicked on Thursday

The United manager was also involved in a furious exchange with his assistant Rui Faria

Faria appeared to give midfielder Paul Pogba the wrong set of instructions before the game

'Paul was a bit confused with the changes and obviously I want my assistants to take care of all the details.'

United's goal was described as 'silly' by Zorya coach Yuriy Vernydub after Rooney shanked an effort onto Ibrahimovic's head.

'Wayne was laughing and saying he made a great assist,' Mourinho said. 'Really he gave me what the team needed at that time, which was a second presence in the box.'