Jose Mourinho turns thoughts to next season as he...
Jose Mourinho vowed to use the rest of the campaign as a catalyst for an improved Premier League title charge next season after effectively conceding this year’s crown to Manchester City.
This is comfortably United’s best league campaign since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as a champion in 2013, yet Pep Guardiola’s swashbuckling side boast an eye-watering 15-point cushion at the summit.
The Reds Devils have been City’s nearest rivals throughout the campaign but Mourinho concedes the gap is almost certainly insurmountable with 13 games remaining, saying United “need points to be the first of the last”.
Jose Mourinho has conceded for the first time that second is the best #MUFC can hope for this season. "We need points to be the first of the last - we have to try to finish second" — Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) February 2, 2018
It was a surprise admission – albeit a realistic one – from the Portuguese, who is focused on cup glory and runners-up spot in a bid to help propel his side to a better challenge next year.
“I always remember when Sir Alex said in 2005-06, when we won the second title with Chelsea, ‘we need to improve a lot because they raised the bar to such a level’,” Mourinho said.
“‘They won two titles in a row, the second title was easier than the first’ and then the biggest manager in the Premier League said ‘we need to improve a lot’. He felt that moment as a click for the improvement of the team.
“In 2006-07, Manchester United wins the title back. It has to be like that.
“That’s why I think every match until the end of the season is an important match for us because it is not just about the points and finishing in the top four, which is important.
"We're doing better than last season and it's very important for us to do better than last season," Jose says. "We are trying to win something this season, and if not, we will try to be stronger for next season." #MUFC pic.twitter.com/cvKdHvAMjn — Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 2, 2018
“But try to finish second, try to play the best we can, try to improve the players individually the best we can, try to be the best possible team in the end of the season.
“And then try to start the Premier League in a good way, like we did this season, but try to be consistent and try not to lose points like we did this season in some matches where we shouldn’t.”
By contrast, City have eked out fortuitous victories thanks to a mixture of skill and determination – attributes Mourinho admires.
But there are aspects about Guardiola’s side that grate on the Portuguese, such as what he feels is a proclivity to go down.
Man City´s Leroy Sane was injured by a bad tackle that only led to a yellow card (Steve Paston/EMPICS)
City have not needed any help going to deck recently having been on the end of some nasty challenges that have understandably angered Guardiola and his players, but Mourinho believes refereeing standards are just fine.
“If I was top of the league, you would immediately say I am saying it because I am top of the league and I am very happy,” the United boss said.
“I am not top of the league and I have to say I am happy with the level of performance I am having the season with the referees team.
“Yes, they made mistakes, but I am happy with the level I am having.”
A mistake is what Mourinho believes Maroaune Fellaini could be making if the Belgian does not put pen to paper quickly.
Marouane Fellaini went off injured at Wembley (Adam Davy/PA)
The Belgium international has so far resisted the offer to stay beyond the end of the season and hobbled off with another knee injury shortly after coming on in the midweek loss at Tottenham.
“I told him yesterday ‘sign the contract and shut up’,” Mourinho said with a laugh.
“I told him ‘don’t gamble too much, sign the contract before you know the extent of the injury’.”