Glut of cup matches keep Mourinho’s Red Devils in good spirits
A SIGNIFICANT run of cup ties has Manchester United manager José Mourinho worried about fixture congestion, but his chances of ending his first season at the club with a major trophy are looking healthy.
Mourinho’s side have won three successive matches without conceding a goal, and are in good spirits as they prepare to make the short journey to face struggling Championship opponents Blackburn in the fifth round of the FA Cup today.
The United manager actually felt his team were a little too cheerful YOU would be hard-pressed to name a test cricketer who hails from the farming town of Groblersdal in Limpopo.
Far-flung country areas often have a tendency to produce some intrepid but hard-working cricketers. Knights and newly capped Proteas seamer Duanne Olivier is the latest example.
Not even he recalls if he’s the best thing to come from the town known for its fertile soil and the variety of fruit and vegetables it produces.
What cannot be forgotten is the excellence Olivier displayed in the 2016/17 Sunfoil Series won by the Knights last weekend through the collection of 52 scalps at 18.13.
He shied away from taking credit for the title, especially when fast-bowling partner Marchant de Lange was a distant second with 34 wickets at 27.64. before Thursday’s 3-0 Europa League last-32 first-leg victory over Saint-Etienne, accusing them of being too relaxed in the warm-up.
It is true United started slowly against their Ligue 1 opponents, but a Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat-trick has put them in a strong position to secure a last-16 place in France next Wednesday.
United are in the midst of a glut of cup fixtures at the moment, with the final of the EFL Cup against Southampton at Wembley on February 26, and Mourinho is worried about the effect on their Premier League form.
“With the accumulation of FA Cup, League Cup and matches postponed, it is really hard for us,” the Portuguese handler said.
“If we progress in the competitions, we will be in trouble in April and May. But we cannot choose competitions, so we play to win.” United won the FA Cup for the first time since 2004 by beating Crystal Palace in last season’s final, and their defence of the trophy has been untroubled so far, with two 4-0 home wins over Championship opponents Reading and Wigan.
Mourinho may see league improvement as a greater priority, but midfielder Ander Herrera is keen for another cup run.
“It’s a massive competition. When some teams rotate players, that doesn’t mean they don’t give importance to the FA Cup,” said the 27-year-old Spaniard, who will miss the return Europa League leg as he is suspended.
“It’s the oldest competition in England and I think it’s the most amazing cup in the world because of the organisation.
“Every club wants to win the FA Cup, teams not in the top six even more as they can get in the Europa League [through winning it]. So it is a fantastic competition to play in. We want to keep playing in it and win away against Blackburn.”
Mourinho is likely to make changes for the match, and does have injury concerns to contend with.
Tottenham Hotspur, who in 1901 became still the only non-league club to win the FA Cup, visit Craven Cottage on the Thames today for their tie with London neighbours Fulham.
Spurs will hope to atone for two recent defeats by beating the Championship side.
If we progress in competitions, we will be in trouble in April and May We want to keep playing in it and win away against Blackburn