Mourinho upbeat over his options

WITH Manchester City already disappearing into the distance in the Premier League, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will this week try to wrap up his side’s place in the next stage of the Champions League.

The Portuguese, who won the Champions League with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, would dearly love to become the first manager to win the competition with three different clubs.

With a maximum of 12 points out of 12 from their first four matches, United need just one point from their remaining two games to clinch their place – and top spot – in their group.

And with Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic back, Mourinho’s hand has been strengthened as his side take on Basel in Switzerland today.

The return of the pair, who both played against Newcastle in the Premier League at the weekend, gives Mourinho choices, though he will be aware of over-playing them on their returns from lengthy injury absences. “I’m excited because I have more options,” Mourinho said. “I’m excited because the team can be better... because I want to have the best players available.”

One of Mourinho’s options will be to partner Ibrahimovic with Romelu Lukaku, the man who has filled the Swede’s role as leading goalscorer so far this season.

As strikers who have often played up front on their own, partnering them could be a problem, but Mourinho is sure they can play together.

“Ibrahimovic can play everywhere,” Mourinho said this week.

“This season, we’ve played with two strikers many times. We’ve played (two forwards) so many times, especially when we play with three at the back, with wing-backs, it allows us to bring in a second striker.

“We are ready to do it,” he added. “We’ve been preparing ourselves since pre-season – when we started playing three at the back – so they can play together, no problem.”

With Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial also pushing for a starting spot, Mourinho is blessed with a number of other options, too. “I don’t want to make a situation of Zlatan and Romelu because I can play Zlatan and Romelu, just Zlatan, just Romelu or it can be no-one,” he added. “I always want options and now I have more options in attack.”

Even before Pogba impressed on his return against Newcastle, Mourinho was effusive in his praise for the Frenchman, a key part of his midfield.