Jose Mourinho explains why he chose to prioritise the Europa League

I think it’s definitely fair to say that this season has been a mixed one for Jose Mourinho and Manchester United. The Old Trafford Club have gotten a piece of silverware in the trophy cabinet, by winning the EFL Cup back in February. But now, top four looks out of the question.

Put simply, that means our only hope of acquiring Champions League football for the next campaign is via the Europa League tournament. Currently, we’re at the semi-final stage, holding a 1-0 lead over Celta Vigo from the first leg.

Mourinho has been speaking to the media ahead of the eagerly-anticipated return match, and he discussed a variety of topics, including exactly why he felt the need to prioritise the European competition over the bread and butter of the Premier League.

“The situation is simple. Seventeen matches in seven weeks with 16 players is impossible. It’s not a gamble, it was a simple decision, a decision based on common sense and a consequence of our situation.” The manager said, as per Manchester United’s official liveblog. “We are giving everything we can, the players, myself, everyone. We are giving everything so when you give everything, no problem.”

Honestly, I’m more than happy with his decision to give up on the Premier League for the remainder of the season. My only complaint is that he didn’t decide to do this earlier.


Top four has always looked like more of a gamble to me, and let’s be honest, we’re overwhelming favourites to lift the Europa League. Heck, if we don’t, whoever beats us, it’d be regarded as a massive upset.

It’s fair to say our on-field performances have certainly been mixed but I have full faith that the self-proclaimed Special One will get it right. You cannot expect him to just solve all of our problems instantly, and now he’s been in charge for a full year, he will know exactly what is required to get us back to the summit of European football.

About Jordan Street 18923 Articles
Mancunian. Red through and through. Season Ticket holder block E332.

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