Man Utd face a tricky trip to Rostov on Thursday (kick-off 6pm GMT) in their Europa League last-16 first-leg tie, with all of the talk surrounding the state of the pitch in Russia.

Jose Mourinho insists the pitch in Rostov is so poor he is surprised Thursday's Europa League game is going ahead, saying: "I know that we have to, but it is hard for me to believe we are going to play on that field - if you can call it a field."

Mourinho's fury at the state of the Rostov pitch was exacerbated by a UEFA official telling the Manchester United manager not to worry about injuries as his players are protected by insurance.

United have lost just once in their last 27 games in all competitions, while Rostov are seventh in the Russian Premier League, and have lost just once in their last 12.

Rostov have defeated big opposition at their Stadion Olimp 2 home this season, beating Bayern Munich 3-2 in the group stage of the Champions League in November.

Team news

Mourinho confirmed on Wednesday that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be in his side to face Rostov, but said the rest of his selections will depend on the state of the pitch.

Asked about Henrikh Mkhitaryan's possible involvement, Mourinho added: "I don't know which team to play, really. I don't know which team I will play, I don't know if Mkhitaryan is going to play. I have a lot to think because I was expecting something more playable."

Opta stats

United have not lost any of their last four away games against Russian opposition (W1 D3 L0) and also won the 2008 Champions League final on penalties against Chelsea in Moscow.

Since the start of 2015-16, Russian clubs have faced English teams six times and have not won any of those matches (W0 D2 L4).

Rostov are playing in the knockout stages of a major European competition for the first time in their history.

Rostov have lost only three of their last 13 games in European competition (inc. qualifiers W4 D6).

Rostov are unbeaten in four games in Europe, their best such run (exc. qualifiers).

Dmitri Poloz has been involved in seven of Rostov's last 11 goals in European competitions (5 goals, 2 assists).

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In the last round, Rostov recorded their biggest ever European win, beating Sparta Prague 4-0 in the first leg of their tie.

Charlie's prediction

United will come through pretty comfortably here and I'm expecting a typically professional job from Jose Mourinho's side on the road. He will see this as a chance to sort out his side to cope without Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he's banned domestically and I think he'll give the big man a bit of time off now.

We had a great chat about Ibrahimovic's contract on Soccer Saturday and I said give him another three years because he's just pure entertainment. That little smile at the end of his post-match interview was just priceless.

I imagine he'll give Marcus Rashford a chance as he's the most natural one to play through the middle. Anthony Martial has reacted well to the reality check Mourinho has given him but I think his future is on that left-hand side.

I think it says a lot that Wayne Rooney has been left out of the squad entirely after a performance that he would have been disappointed with on Saturday. Yes he was really poor and I think it shows you that his time is coming to an end when he's behind Jesse Lingard in the pecking order.

Michael Carrick might get a rest but I expect United will go to Russia and set things up to ease through in the second leg.

Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Rashford to score first (22/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Manchester United are Sky Bet's 3/4 favourites to establish a first-leg lead with Rostov 4/1 outsiders while the draw is priced at 5/2. Mourinho's men are also favourites to win the competition at 7/4, with Roma rated their main opposition at 11/2, with 50/1 outsiders Rostov 7/2 claim their scalp.

Ibrahimovic heads the first goalscorer betting at 3/1 as Marko Devic and Dmitri Poloz considered the hosts' main threats at 8/1 apiece to net first.