"When I saw what the fixture was at this time at the beginning of the season I said "who the hell chose that?"," the United boss told the Sunday Express.
"It puts pressure on the clubs.
"We could easily have had Middlesbrough at home or something like that
"There was no opportunity given to change it.
"I hope it's a good game, the crowd have a part to play in that.
"City as a football club have done their very best. Hopefully it will go off well and we can get on with the game of football."