Jose wary of Blues blunder

Monday's Chelsea clash poses Mourinho selection dilemma

ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is hopeful Monday's FA Cup trip to Chelsea does not hinder his side's prospects of completing a Europa League last-16 win over Rostov.

United drew 1-1 in Russia in the first leg of their tie on Thursday after Henrikh Mkhitaryan's first-half opener was canceled out by an Aleksandr Bukharov strike shortly after the break.

It was a good result after a long journey for a match played on a sub-standard surface at Olimp 2 stadium - so bad that Mourinho questioned whether the game should have gone ahead.

United hosts Rostov in the return leg at Old Trafford next Thursday, but before that travels to Stamford Bridge to face the Blues in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

The long journey means fatigue could be an issue for Mourinho's men, who value the Europa League as a possible way into next season's Champions League.

The alternative route is a top-four Premier League finish for United, which is sixth in the standings.

"We want to keep the two goals open. In the Europa League, if you manage to go to the quarterfinals, then in the quarterfinals, you feel it so we have to try by every means," said Mourinho, whose side won the League Cup last month.

"We have a trophy in our pocket which is a good feeling for everyone.

"But now we have the Premier league to try to be in the top four, we have the Europa League to try to beat Rostov, and on Monday we cannot go (to Chelsea) with a bad team because Manchester United is too big.

"It's not Chelsea's fault we play on Monday. So we have to make changes, for sure, but we cannot go to Stamford Bridge with a bad team."

Former Blues boss Mourinho was disappointed with his side's inability to hold its lead in Rostov, although the Portuguese was happy to return with an away goal.

"You know, an away goal is always positive. It's better 1-1 than 0-0 but the game is open," said Mourinho, who won the Europa League's former incarnation, the UEFA Cup, with Porto in 2003.

"The result is open and Rostov has experience at playing big matches, big opponents and big stadiums. I don't think it's a problem for them to compete against us.

"They play Sunday against Terek Grozny, we play Monday against Chelsea. For us, it's difficult but we are one step from being in the quarterfinals."

Rostov will travel to England without Timofei Kalachev and captain Aleksandr Gatskan, who are suspended after picking up bookings. They also lost Vladimir Granat to a broken collarbone.

"Probably if this was a point, they would be happy with the point," Mourinho added.

The United manager also spoke of his relief that the evening went off without trouble after the build-up was overshadowed by fears of violence between United fans and Russian hooligans.

"I think everything was magnificent. People have been nice to us since we landed," said Mourinho, whose side was cheered on by around 250 traveling supporters.

"During the game, they supported their team but they did it like it should be done. I think our supporters also were nice guests and they behaved properly.

"On the pitch, everything was an example because the players fought hard, they fought very hard for every ball but in a positive way.

"Everything was a good example and hopefully the Rostov fans that will go (to Manchester) next week, they have great conditions now to be welcome and for everything to be a good example."

Agence France-Presse