Don't kill me for playing kids: Jose Mourinho

Man United boss Mourinho. Pic/AFP

Jose Mourinho says the Premier League's unwillingness to help Man United prepare for their Europa League final will force him to pick youth players against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

United finish their league campaign against Palace at Old Trafford before facing Ajax in the Europa League final in Stockholm next Wednesday, a game they must win to qualify for next season's Champions League.

With nothing riding on Sunday's game for either United or Palace, who are assured of avoiding relegation, Mourinho believes it should have been moved forward a day.

"In any country in the world, the match would be Saturday because Sunday, we are sixth, doesn't matter what, and Crystal Palace is safe," the United boss said after 0-0 draw at Southampton. "So I think, the match has to be on Saturday. It's frustrating for me. And I hope you don't kill me when you see my team." Asked if he had submitted a request for the game to be moved, Mourinho replied: "I don't waste time. When I know that the battle is lost, I don't fight it," Jose added.