United’s reputation at stake in Europa final

ALL TO PLAY FOR Red Devils will look to overthrow energetic Ajax and secure a berth in next year’s Champions League

STOCKHOLM: Jose Mourinho’s first season at Manchester United will be deemed by many as a failure unless they win Wednesday’s Europa League final against Ajax Amsterdam to secure Champions League qualification.

The Portuguese coach arrived at Old Trafford at the start of this campaign charged with the task of restoring United to, if not their old dominance, at least a place at the top table in the Premier League elite.

But a sixth-place finish is lower than Mourinho’s predecessor Louis van Gaal managed in his two seasons, which concluded with fourth and fifth places. It is not the prestige of the Europa League title that would change the perspective on the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager’s first year at United but the place that triumph would secure in the continent’s top club competition. For United, a second straight season outside the European elite would not only be a blow for the fans and the club’s status but could also affect their ability to recruit the very best talent from across the globe.

For Mourinho, there is also his own ‘brand’ to consider.

The 54-year-old left Chelsea last season after a shocking campaign, only for largely the same group of players to march to the Premier League title this term under Antonio Conte.

The move to United offered a chance to restore Mourinho’s reputation as a winner — but a season with just a League Cup triumph and no Champions League place would surely have his critics crowing again. Mourinho’s tactics have been criticised as overly cautious and others have taken aim at his habit of publicly naming and shaming individual players, such as Luke Shaw.

On Monday, ex-Arsenal striker turned Sky Sports TV pundit Thierry Henry said United’s biggest signing — world record £89 million purchase Paul Pogba — was underperforming due to Mourinho’s tactics.