Jose: Title talk is premature

– Manchester United can only start to think about challenging for the Premier League title once they have fought their way back into the top four, manager Jose Mourinho said yesterday.

United travel to Bournemouth today, nine points behind table-toppers Manchester City and Liverpool and five points off the final Champions League qualifying spot occupied by Arsenal.

Mourinho believes eighthplaced United, who are unbeaten in their last three league games, will improve and close the gap on their rivals over the next couple of months.

“When you are outside the top four I don’t think you should speak about the title,” Mourinho told a news conference.

“When you are top four you can look up, see the distance, look to the fixtures, to the calendar, you can look to the situation at the moment, injuries, suspension, form and then you can feel it.”

In-form Bournemouth, sixth in the league, will look to secure a fourth victory in five league matches when they host United.

Mourinho said he was not surprised by Bournemouth’s steady progress under Eddie Howe.

“Same manager, clinical scouting work,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a big surprise.” – Reuters

London