Mou prefers second spot in league over FA Cup win
LONDON: Jose Mourinho can become the third manager to win the FA Cup with two different clubs next month but says finishing runners-up in the Premier League will be more important in the final analysis of Manchester United’s season.
Mourinho’s side hit back from conceding early at Wembley to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the semi-final on Saturday and will claim a record-equalling 13th FA Cup triumph if they overcome Chelsea or Southampton in the final.
Victory next month would be a third trophy in two seasons for Mourinho’s United and the Portuguese would join Herbert Chapman (Huddersfield in 1922 and Arsenal in 1930) and Billy Walker (Sheffield Wednesday in 1935 and Nottingham Forest in 1959) in winning the knockout competition for two clubs.
Despite being a serial trophy-collector during his glittering career, Mourinho only had eyes on the seven points his team need to guarantee finishing as runners-up to an “untouchable” Manchester City in the Premier League.
“I think the feeling now is we need two victories and one draw to finish second with 81 points,” Mourinho, who won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2007, told a news conference after Saturday’s deserved victory.
“The season is successful if we finish second, if we do a better Premier League season than Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. If we do that I think it’s a successful season because 81 points is to break the 80-point target and to finish second against an untouchable winner is good.
“The [FA Cup] final is the final and obviously we have to try and win it but I don’t think it’s because of one game that the team is good or bad, a player is good or bad, a manager is good or bad or a season is good or bad.”
United won the League Cup and Europa League in Mourinho’s first season in charge but finished sixth in the Premier League.
They are favourites to finish second this time and the FA Cup would crown a season of improvement at Old Trafford.
“To do that with all the fantastic teams we play against will be an achievement for a club that couldn’t do it for a few years now,” Mourinho said.
For a while on Saturday it appeared Mourinho’s side might be swept away by Tottenham who scored in the 10th minute through Dele Alli and threatened to add to their lead.
But Alexis Sanchez levelled and they controlled the second half in which Ander Herrera scored the winner.
Meanwhile Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino sparked speculation over his future as the London club suffered their eighth straight FA Cup semi-final loss.
Pochettino said after the match the focus now was on finishing in the top four of the Premier League but hinted at a future with somebody else at the helm, even though there is no indication he is intending to step down.
“Tottenham need more time, of course with me or with another, but I think it’s so important to keep going, focusing on working and developing that philosophy that is fantastic for the club,” he said.
“Of course we are in a process to arrive to the semi-final and be competitive in the Champions League and be competitive in the Premier League, fighting for the top four.
“I think it’s not enough because everyone feels that we are close, we are close, we are close. Nearly close enough to touch,” added the Argentine.