Mourinho had previously stated that if United reached the Europa League round of 8, they would focus more on that path back into Europe’s main event. The Red Devils have now in fact reached that round, and they will resume that competition Thursday when they travel to Anderlecht.
Europa League might still be the easier/more likely way in for Mourinho and his men, but the manager has not given up on hopes of a top four finish in the league. The Portugese said yesterday, following the 3-0 win over Sunderland that the victory keeps top four finish hopes alive.
United will head to Brussels for the first leg of the quarterfinal with a couple very key players returning from injury. Right back Antonio Valencia has sat out the last two games with an injury, while goalkeeper David de Gea missed the weekend fixture due to a hip problem. Both will be back with the team this week.
Mourinho told MUTV (the club’s official website):
“We played with the players available (against Sunderland). Not one single player stayed in Manchester because we were thinking about resting them, or because we were thinking about rotation or about Anderlecht. Not at all.”
“These are the players available at the moment and, when I look to the others, I just expect Valencia to be ready to play and no more, I don’t think. I don’t think any one of the other boys will be ready to play.”
Although De Gea is returning, Romero is expected to keep his spot as United’s UEL #1
“De Gea’s injury is not serious and Romero every time he plays he plays so well. The fans are used to having Romero in goal in the competition, and that becomes the most important competition for us after winning the League Cup,” Mourinho also said to the club’s official webpage.
“The Europa League is the competition we can still win, so when Sergio plays in the Europa League and when we are giving him this confidence to play, it’s because we know that his answer is positive and today he looked like he was really comfortable.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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