Given the players Manchester United have brought in over the summer, they must be among the favourites for the Europa League.
With perennial winners Sevilla now in the Champions League, the competition should have a new winner this season.
Too often, though, Premier League clubs have come unstuck in the Europa League because they haven’t placed another emphasis on it – and it looks like it’s going to be the same with United.
Jose Mourinho told a press conference that winning it is “not the big dream of every player”, and the Portuguese fears it could jeopardise his side’s chances of winning the main prize – the Premier League.
“This is not a competition that Manchester United wants,” he added.
“It’s not a competition I want, it’s not a competition the players want.
“But it’s a competition where we are and that’s the reality. We have to look to the competition with respect.”
The Special One has made his lack of interest in the tournament abundantly clear, not only through these comments, but through his team selection too.
Wayne Rooney has not travelled as he is being rested for Watford, which is already a must-win game. Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw did also not travel to Rotterdam.
The Manchester derby defeat to City may have given the Red Devils the wake-up call they need as to how difficult it’s going to be to challenge for the title, so it’s no wonder Mourinho is taking precautions.
United kick off their Europa League campaign against Feyenoord.
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