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Manchester United and Jose Mourinho facing more pitch problems ahead of Galatasaray friendly

The centre circle at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg on Friday morning
Image: The centre circle at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg on Friday morning

Manchester United could be asked to play on another sub-standard pitch in their latest pre-season match in Sweden, on Saturday.

United are due to take on Galatasaray in Gothenburg's Ullevi Stadium - just days after a Bruce Springsteen concert.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to make his United debut in the game which was announced just days before he signed for the club in June.

Their final match of United's tour of China - against Manchester City - was called off on Monday following concerns over the pitch at the 'Birds Nest' Stadium in Beijing.

The goalmouth in Gothenburg has a worn patch down the middle of the six-yard box
Image: The goalmouth in Gothenburg has a worn patch down the middle of the six-yard box

United boss Jose Mourinho was scathing about the playing surface which had a fungal problem and had been further damaged by heavy rain declaring: "My only objective is to take the players home safe and without injury. These are no conditions to play a good game of football."

And he is unlikely to be impressed with the state of the pitch in Gothenburg with both goalmouths and centre circle showing visible signs of wear following Wednesday's Springsteen show.

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Extra seats are being installed at the Ullevi Stadium ahead of Manchester United's friendly against Galatasaray
Image: Extra seats are being installed at the Ullevi Stadium ahead of Manchester United's friendly against Galatasaray

There is no indication the game is under threat and workers are continuing to construct temporary stands at either end of the stadium ahead of the match.

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