Europa is now Jose’s main goal
JOSE MOURINHO may have to go for Europa League glory to ensure Manchester United qualify for the Champions League.
Mourinho, below, is considering playing stronger teams in the Europa League than the Premier because Europe’s second-tier competition offers a back door into the Champions League and could be easier to win than finishing in the top four. As United flew to Rostov yesterday for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie tomorrow, Mourinho admitted he had given up on catching former club Chelsea weeks ago. “Finishing second is very difficult but it’s still possible. First is impossible,” he said.
“The Europa League is difficult but if we beat Rostov and find ourselves in the quarter-finals, we have to think seriously about it. When a team get to the quarters, you smell the final. Then in a
certain period of the season I have to analyse my team, the players, the conditions of everyone and if I have to make choices, I make choices, but choices I would always share with my owners, with my board.
“But it’s not for now – for now it’s just play Rostov, play Chelsea, Rostov again and then let’s see how we are in all the competitions and try to make the right decisions.”
United have been unable to break into the top four since September despite an unbeaten league run of 17 matches. Seven home draws have kept them rooted in sixth since early November.
And with a congested fixture list in April and May, Mourinho is having to think hard.
United will take on Everton, who are seventh, and leaders Chelsea in April, play top-four Arsenal and Tottenham away in May and still have to rearrange away games against Manchester City and Southampton.
They will need to reschedule another league game if they beat Chelsea in the FA Cup sixth round on Monday.
Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw were left out of United’s 20-man travelling squad after starting against Bournemouth on Saturday, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is fit after missing two games with a hamstring strain, but Eric Bailly is suspended after his dismissal in the last round against Saint-Etienne.
United will have to contend with a poor playing surface in the 16,000-capacity Olimp-2 Stadium following a harsh Russian winter.
Rostov manager Ivan Daniliants said: “The pitch is the same for everyone but it will still be a problem. In the final of the League Cup, United played on an ideal lawn – it was like a carpet. Here, they will be surprised.”
Mourinho would prefer Marcus Rashford rest this summer rather than play for England Under-21s in the European Championship.
He said: “I know if my team go until the end in different competitions, every player should finish the last game and disappear for a month.
“Don’t move one leg, just move the arm to get the glass.
“He is a young guy. Maybe every experience – if he is not exhausted – can help him. Let’s wait and analyse the situation.”