Last season saw Jose Mourinho become the first Manchester United manager to win a trophy in his first season on the job at Old Trafford. In fact he won three (Community Shield, EFL Cup, Europa League).
This season, he can get his first and only piece of silverware May 19 when United take on the Chelsea/Southampton winner at the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. On the other hand, Mourinho has United in a realistic position to finish second this season, after having placed only sixth last campaign. Mourinho admits that United’s season will be judged on whether or not they can fight off Liverpool and finish second in the league, and not by winning the FA Cup.
“If we can finish the season with two victories and one draw and finish the season with 81 points, if we managed to do that, untouchable City, no chance to be in a fight with them, I think that is a good season,” Mourinho said after his side beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in today’s FA Cup semifinal.
“We can come to the final with a good spirit in the same spirit we came today. The season is successful if we finish second. If we do that with 81 points, if we have a better Premier League than Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal that is successful.”
“To finish second against Manchester City is good, to get more points than last season, to win more matches, to concede less goals, to win more matches against top teams, I think is a successful season.
“The final is the final and you have to try to win but I don’t think it is because of one game the season is good or bad.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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