Jose keen on glory in Europa

JOSE Mourinho would rather end the season with Europa League glory than a top-four spot as Manchester United plot a rousing finish.

Mourinho saw his side climb into fifth place in the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Middlesbrough yesterday and remain firmly in the race f or a Champions League spot.

However, he admitted after the game that he would take cup success over a place in the top four.

Mourinho said: “It’s a big win because it keeps us alive i n t he f ourth position race. It was very important to keep us alive.

“Do I prefer to finish fourth or win the Europa League? I prefer to win the Europa League because the Europa League gives us the same, gives us Champions League football but gives us a trophy, gives us prestige, gives us a European Super Cup.

“So I would prefer that. But maybe we don’t win the Europa League, so we have to fight until we can to try to finish fourth.

“And it’s what we did here without many players but with a great answer in terms of attitude and desire from all the boys.

“It is a massive victory for us.”

The win was secured by Marouane Fellaini’s firsthalf header, a thunderous second from Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia’s i njur y-time strike i n the wake of a Victor Valdes howler, although Boro substitute Rudy Gestede had briefly sparked hope of a fightback by reducing the deficit t o 2-1 with 13 minutes remaining.

Jose Mourinho