The Portuguese boss does not consider his side among the favourites (Picture: Getty)
The Portuguese boss does not consider his side among the favourites (Picture: Getty)

Jose Mourinho has surprisingly downplayed Manchester United’s chances of winning the Champions League and claims his side are not among the favourites.

The Red Devils booked their place in the next round with a 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow, with quick-fire goals from Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford cancelling out the visitors’ contentious opener on the stroke of half-time.

As group winners, they have avoided some massive teams – including Barcelona and PSG – but Mourinho does not believe his side are genuine contenders.

Rashford and Lukaku combined to secure United’s fifth win of the group stage (Picture: Getty)
Rashford and Lukaku combined to secure United’s fifth win of the group stage (Picture: Getty)

Speaking to Viasport Fotball after the match, Mourinho explained: ‘When you ask me that question I think we were 32 teams and now we are just 16.

‘After the knockout it will be just eight… let’s see!

‘We are not candidates, far from it, there are teams very powerful, teams with great experience at this level, but let’s see, let’s see how it goes.

Up Next

‘Now we have lots of matches in English competitions and we can forget the Champions League for a couple of months.’

Despite finishing as group winners, United could still draw Real Madrid, Juventus or Bayern Munich in the next round, though Mourinho says none of those clubs will want to play his side.

Mourinho was at least pleased to see Lukaku get back on the score sheet again (Picture: Getty)

Speaking to the BBC, he added: ‘I am not the luckiest guy with draws, it is better I shut up and I forget it because we only play in February.

‘I think it doesn’t matter the team we get in the draw. That team will not be jumping with happiness to play against us. I don’t think so.’