Mourinho: Fight is on but Top Four not good enough for United

Jose Mourinho has admitted that Manchester United are in a difficult position in the Premier League this year but hopes to bring the club back to where it belongs – battling for trophies – as early as May.

United are currently fifth and face a difficult fight with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City for a top four spot while hopes for a trophy remain alive in the Europa League. According to Mourinho the chances of winning it equal those of securing a top-four position.

He said after United’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland: “After Liverpool and Manchester City’s victories, it was a difficult win.

“It’s almost mathematically impossible, so it was important for us to win and that was the main objective. We are still fighting for our situation in the Premier League, but the Europa League will become more fundamental competition for us.

“I think it is as difficult as finishing fourth, that is the only competition we can win now and we have to fight for that.

“I don’t want our club to be just happy with fighting for the top four and Champions League, we want to fight for trophies.”

The European effort continues on Thursday when United travel to face Belgian outfit Anderlecht.