IT’S DO OR DIE
Jose throws all his eggs in Europa basket
JOSE MOURINHO has given up on a top-four Premier League finish – to concentrate on European glory.
The Manchester United boss will field a weakened team at Arsenal on Sunday, and risk losing to rival Arsene Wenger for only the second time, to make sure his men reach the final of the Europa League. The Arsenal game falls between tonight’s semifinal first leg against Celta Vigo and the return at Old Trafford next Thursday. And after Liverpool’s win at Watford on Monday left United’s top-four hopes out of their own hands, Mourinho is banking on winning Europe’s second-tier competition to seal their spot in next season’s Champions League.
He said: “The Europa League became very important for us.
“Of course it depends on the result against Celta in the first leg, but if we have to rest players at the weekend, then we are going to do that.”
Mourinho also confirmed that if United reach the final in Stockholm on May 24, he will field a weakened team in their final Premier League fixture of
the season at home to Crystal Palace three days earlier.
“We have a 50 per cent chance of getting through,” Mourinho added.
“If players played the ‘hypothetical’ final, they would not be selected to play on the Sunday before.”
United’s hopes of reaching the final have been boosted by the unexpected return to fitness of Eric Bailly.
The centre-back limped off against Swansea on Sunday, sparking fears he would miss the rest of the season.
Also back are Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, who is serving a domestic ban, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones were included in the travelling squad but are likely to be on the bench after a month out of action.
Mourinho also confirmed that Luke Shaw will miss the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage.
He added: “Bailly is ready to play, he’s the kind of personality that will fight every problem unless it’s impossible.”
And he hinted that experienced Spain international Mata, who is fit after a month out following groin surgery, could be a key player tonight.
Mourinho said: “He’s one of the few players that has played European semi-finals and finals, so it’s nothing new for him.” ON-LOAN Chelsea striker Bertrand Traore scored twice as Ajax hammered Lyon 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final in Amsterdam last night.
Kasper Dolberg and Amin Younes were also on target for the Dutch side with Mathieu Valbuena netting for Lyon.