Man United star reveals Europa League expectations, urges for caution
Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed his main goal this season is winning the Europa League.
Mkhitaryan underlined the trophy as being key for United this season but underlined that there are no easy sides left in the competition.
“It is one of my goals for this season – to win the Europa League. Of course, I know it is not going to be easy, particularly at this stage of the competition as there are no easy opponents. Obviously, we understand the importance of the tie with Anderlecht in the quarter-finals,” Mkhitaryan was quoted as saying on the official Manchester United website.
See More: For Besiktas news and everything you want to know about the club
“We know that we are going to have two very tough games and, of course, Anderlecht are not easy opponents. I realise some people think: ‘Ah, we’ve got Anderlecht, so it is going to be easy to beat them’ but it is not like that. I know this because I have watched some of their games during their participation in Europe and I can say they are playing very well and they have very good with players of high quality.”
United face Anderlecht in the quarter-finals and if they progress to the next round they could face either Besiktas, Lyon, Schalke, Ajax, Celta Vigo or Genk.
The Red Devils are the most successful club left in the competition in terms of silverware to their name but Besiktas have also underlined their cup aspirations this season.
Besiktas president Fikret Orman made it very clear that he also has his eye on the trophy.
Orman revealed that he aims to win two trophies this season. “I want two trophies, the league and the Europa League,” Orman was quoted as saying by Turkish-Football.
“Lyon and the others may be favourites and do not rule us out, we have a great team in great form and a very experienced manager.”
“We must believe in ourselves, we have the quality to win the cup.”
United would become the fifth team – after Ajax, Bayern, Chelsea and Juventus – to win all three major UEFA trophies if they go all the way.
Besiktas would reach the semi-final of the Europa League for the first time if they find a way past Lyon in the Last eight.
The Black Eagles are currently first in the Turkish league, five points clear of their nearest rivals Basaksehir.