United chasing both league, European titles

Manchester United is able to mount a serious challenge for both the Premier League and Champions League titles this season thanks to a stronger squad, striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic said this week.

Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo returned to United’s squad for Saturday’s 4-1 league win over Newcastle United as Jose Mourinho’s side, which is second in the league, remained eight points behind neighbor City.

With four wins from four Champions League group games this season, United needs just one more point from two matches to qualify for the last-16 heading into its visit to FC Basel on Wednesday.

Ibrahimovic told British media that a domestic and European double was very much a target.

“I think there is a possibility for everything... We are stronger this season. We believe we can do it – that’s the aim. To win and get the trophies,” he said.

“I think we can chase City, why is it not a possibility? This week the manager has been very happy because he has a full team... He knows what he is doing, even MANCHESTER UNITED has been given a huge boost with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (among others) available again after a long injury lay-off. The Red Devils look to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage tonight when it visits FC Basel. when the number of players is limited, because he’s a winner and has been winning every season.”

Ibrahimovic and Rojo returned from serious knee injuries sustained last season and started on the bench for an almost full-strength United squad. The Swede came on in the latter stages of the game.

Frenchman Pogba recovered from a hamstring injury and scored in his first game since September.

Defenders Eric Bailly and Phil Jones and midfielder Michael Carrick are the only remaining injury concerns for United.

Meanwhile, Chelsea must seal progression to the Champions League knockout stages with a crucial win over Qarabag on Wednesday to help ease the pressure during a congested fixture schedule, manager Antonio Conte said on Tuesday.

Premier League champion Chelsea is second in its Champions League group and needs one win to seal a spot in the last-16 with two group fixtures remaining.

Conte has urged his side to get the job done in Azerbaijan and avoid the tension of battling for progression during a busy schedule that sees the London outfit play 11 matches after Wednesday’s fixture before the end of the year.

“We have to play the most important game of the season from the start until now,” Conte told reporters.

“If we are able to win against Qarabag, we can go through to the next round of the Champions League and this is very important because this period from now until January is very busy, so it is very important to win the game.

“It won’t be easy because in the last two games they drew twice against Atletico Madrid... it is very important to be focused, to work and to try to win the game.”

Chelsea is nine points behind leader Manchester City in third position and travel to fifth-place Liverpool in the league on Saturday.

In other group-stage action on Wednesday, Paris Saint Germain hosts Celtic, Atletico Madrid entertains Roma and Bayern Munich visits Anderlecht.

(Reuters)