Mourinho will ‘protect’ Man United stars for the Europa League under one condition, Besiktas eye trophy
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he will protect his players for the Europa League under one condition.
Mourinho underlined that he will make his decision regarding how serious United will take the European competition over the next few games.
United were held to a goalless draw at home to West Brom on Saturday which leaves them five points off Manchester City in 4th and six behind Liverpool in 3rd, with games in hand.
The Red Devils will face Everton on Tuesday and then go to Sunderland.
“I just want to think that against Everton [on Tuesday] we are going to do what we tried to do against West Brom, to try to play with our best team and try to win the match,” Mourinho was quoted as saying.
“And after Everton we go to Sunderland with the same perspective. And then after Sunderland the Europa League comes, and then I don’t know.
“Then, it’s possible that you see me play in the Premier League with a team where I’m going to protect the players that I consider fundamental for the Europa League.”
See More: For Besiktas news and everything you want to know about the club
Winning the Europa League could end up being United’s only chance of guaranteeing Champions League football next season.
United will however, face stiff competition. Defending Turkish league champions Besiktas have also made winning the Europa League a priority.
Unlike the Red Devils, Besiktas are almost certain to book Champions League football as they are currently first in the league.
Besiktas manager Senol Gunes was quoted as saying by Turkish-Football: “We aim to win both the league and the Europa League, we can win it and want to do so by beating the best teams along the way.”
Besiktas will take on Lyon in the quarter-finals while United will face Anderlecht.
United and Besiktas could end up facing each other in the semi-finals if they progress past the last eight.
