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Manchester United opponents Rostov banned from home pitch

A general view of the pitch at Rostov
Image: Rostov's pitch was described as "a field" by Jose Mourinho

Manchester United's Europa League opponents have been banned from playing on a home pitch Jose Mourinho called "a field".

The surface at FC Rostov's Olimp-2 stadium was passed fit by UEFA for the first leg of their last-16 tie with United last week.

Mourinho said ahead of that game he found it "hard to believe we are going to play on that field - if you can call it a field" and even Rostov's manager made no attempt to deny the "problem" pitch.

And now the Russian League has ruled Rostov must either postpone their home games or play elsewhere until the surface improves.

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The Rostov pitch has attracted criticism ahead of Thursday's match
Image: Manchester United drew 1-1 at Rostov in the first leg of their Europa League tie

United drew the first leg 1-1 thanks to a Henrik Mkhitaryan goal and host Rostov in the Old Trafford return on Thursday.

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