Jose Mourinho turns up heat by telling Chelsea and Liverpool: See how you do now we’re all in Europe
Manchester United boss aims to to continue an amazing record of winning or retaining title in his second season at every club
JOSE MOURINHO has cranked up the heat by warning Liverpool and Chelsea: Let’s see how you get on now we’re all in Europe.
Manchester United kick-off at home to West Ham tomorrow with Mourinho aiming to continue an incredible record.
The Special One has won or retained the league in his second season at all four of his previous clubs.
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United are hotly tipped to join Porto, Inter, Real Madrid and Chelsea on that list by lifting the title in May.
Mourinho is convinced his side can do it and he took a swipe at the Blues and Liverpool by saying they will find it tougher now they are back in Europe.
Antonio Conte’s men won the Prem last term, helped by having only domestic football to worry about. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds were also out of Europe, which massively aided their run to fourth place.
With both now facing Champions League action alongside Mourinho’s Europa League winners, the United boss warned: “The top seven are all in Europe and last season two were not.
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“This time we are all in the same basket and it will be the same for everybody.
“Some will have the luck to play Tuesday or Wednesday, then Saturday or Sunday, but in the end it is the same number of matches. There is no advantage for anyone.”
United have spent around £150million adding Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof to a star-studded squad. And their arrival has filled Mourinho with belief they can go all the way this time and continue his amazing run.
The Portuguese added: “It’s not because I’ve always done it that I am going to do it.
“There’s no guarantee, I just think a manager in the second year knows the club and players better.
“We are in a position to do quality work better than in the first. It’s not just hope, it’s being convinced the quality of the team will be better, I have the conditions to deliver a better one than the first.”
Even though his first Old Trafford campaign ended with a disappointing sixth-placed finish, Europa League glory was enough to book a return to Europe’s top table.
Mourinho, who also won the League Cup and Community Shield, claimed: “I don’t feel more or less pressure than last season.
“The important thing for us was going back to the Champions League.
“Now we have to put ourselves in a position in the Premier League that allows us to fight for the title.
“What I had at other clubs was more players scoring. We always had a winger, a midfielder getting ten goals, a central defender getting five. Last season that didn’t happen much.”
Mourinho would love to add another signing, with Gareth Bale and Ivan Perisic top of his list, but insisted: “If we can’t strengthen then we have people we trust.
“I am really happy to start — I think we are ready.”
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