Mourinho calls on Manchester United to follow Roger Federer's example

Jose Mourinho says Manchester United should take inspiration from Roger Federer when they face Young Boys in Berne on Wednesday night.

United will begin their Champions League campaign on an artificial surface but Mourinho says that, rather than complain, they need to adapt to the challenge.

The United boss cited the example of Switzerland's favourite son - who is an eight-time Wimbledon champion on grass but has also claimed Grand Slam titles on hard courts and clay.

Asked for his views on the pitch, Mourinho said: "I don't want to use that, especially before the match, as a possible excuse for a not very good performance.

"Everybody knows it is different. I said what I had to say last week in Geneva, at a UEFA meeting that we had.

"As an example, we are in Switzerland, the home of one of the best ever tennis players.

"And I am pretty sure that the big man, sometimes is not happy to play on such a surface, but he has to play, and he has to win.

"Everybody knows he has a favourite surface but he has also to win on surfaces he is not in love with - so we have to do it."

Antonio Valencia will not be involved on Wednesday but fellow full-back Luke Shaw is in contention, after recovering from the concussion he suffered on England duty.

"He (Shaw) has a chance to play, of course he has," said Mourinho.

"We decided not to bring Antonio Valencia - because his knee is not a knee that needs an artificial pitch at all - so we brought Luke Shaw back to the squad and to the team.

"Valencia is the only one we need to protect. Apart from that, we go with everything we can, and we have to try to win."

Credit: Skysports.com