GROUNDSMEN had to rush to shove standing water off the Tranmere pitch just an hour before kick-off against Manchester United.
The Rovers host Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side in the FA Cup fourth round.
Groundstaff had to work quickly to get the pitch ready at TranmereCredit: PA:Press Association
Water had to be shoved off the sides after puddles built upCredit: PA:Press Association
But after taking the covering off the pitch, the groundstaff had to get to work quickly to get the pitch ready.
Puddles were evident across the pitch while there was lots of mud around the edge of the field.
Tranmere dumped out Watford in their third-round replay after extra time on Thursday night.
And with 120 minutes of football less than 72 hours before the United game, the Prenton Park playing surface was clearly feeling the effects.
In fact, the United clash is Tranmere’s fifth home game in January.
One user on Twitter commented: “Not ideal conditions so that will punish the side that play good football… Who that is, is anybody’s guess.”
Another joked: “Should help bring Tranmere down to United’s level.”
Solskjaer named a strong side for the game, with captain Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial among those in the starting line-up.
But he was criticised by some United fans for going with a back five, completed by Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones and Luke Shaw, against the League One outfit.
Nemanja Matic and Andreas Pereirea were joined by Jesse Lingard in midfield with Martial and teenager Mason Greenwood.
One raged: “5 at the back against League 1 Tranmere rovers, Maguire & Martial start, Gomes not even in the squad. Are you kidding me.”
Another fumed: “What a strong team. Congrats Tranmere, according to Ole logic you must be going places.”
There was plenty of mud around the edge of the playing surfaceCredit: PA:Press Association
The pressure was on to get the pitch ready for a 3pm kick-off at Prenton ParkCredit: PA:Press Association
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hints at new Man Utd signings after losing two games in a row
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
