Jose Mourinho Says Manchester United 'Will Probably Lose' Middlesbrough Match

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho fears his side could lose their Premier League game against struggling Middlesbrough on Sunday, citing fatigue caused by fixture congestion as a potential problem. 

The Red Devils beat FC Rostov 1-0 at Old Trafford on Thursday to advance to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. It was their third match in eight days and 18th so far in 2017 due to their involvement in the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

Paul Pogba and Daley Blind both went off injured against Rostov, and Mourinho hit out at fixture scheduling after the match, per BT Sport (h/t Goal):

"

It's difficult to play Monday with 10 men, it's difficult to play now, it's difficult to play 12 o’clock on Sunday. We have a lot of enemies. 

A lot of people might say we should have scored more goals. But a lot of things are going against us. The boys are amazing boys. We will probably lose the game on Sunday. Fatigue has a price.

I will remember forever when I spoke to the UEFA delegate in Rostov. He told me if any of our players gets injured, the insurance paid. Whoever decided the Monday and Sunday games probably thinks the same way.

"

As well as Pogba and Blind likely being absent to take on Boro at the Riverside Stadium, Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will both miss the fixture due to suspension.

United have not lost a league game since October, and Middlesbrough have dropped into the relegation zone after a run of 10 games on the bounce in the English top flight without a win, but clearly Mourinho does not feel form will matter that much.

Boro sacked manager Aitor Karanka on Thursday, per BBC Sport, so assistant head coach Steve Agnew will take charge for the visit of United.

Date	Competition	Result
March 16	Europa League	Manchester United 1-0 FC Rostov
March 13	FA Cup	Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
March 9	Europa League	FC Rostov 1-1 Manchester United
March 4	Premier League	Manchester United 1-1 Bournemouth
Feb. 26	EFL Cup	Manchester United 3-2 Southampton
Feb. 22	Europa League	AS Saint-Etienne 0-1 Manchester United
Feb. 19	FA Cup	Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Manchester United
Feb. 16	Europa League	Manchester United 3-0 AS Saint-Etienne

Steve Gibson, chairman of the north-east club, has called on Agnew to replicate Craig Shakespeare, who has overseen three consecutive victories since succeeding the dismissed Claudio Ranieri at Leicester City, per the Daily Star's Ian Murtagh.

United could face a rejuvenated Middlesbrough on Sunday, another reason why the fixture could present a lot more problems than many would previously have expected.

A win on Sunday for United is essential, though, if they are to keep pace in the race for the top four before the international break.

Despite injuries, suspensions and fatigue the Red Devils should still have the quality to pick up three points, but Mourinho is clearly unhappy with the schedule his side have been handed over the last few weeks.