Barcelona legend Xavi believes Jose Mourinho will not be able to win the Premier League this season but must take Manchester United back into the Champions League.
After finishing fifth in the Premier League under Louis van Gaal last season, the Red Devils are currently competing in the Europa League.
Their group stage opponents of Zorya Luhansk, Fenerbahce and Feyenoord are a far cry from what they could have had in the Champions League, however.
Man Utd have won two of their games, including a 4-1 rout of Turkish giants Fenerbahce, but having to play on Thursday nights is not what they’re used to.
Of course, under Van Gaal last season they ended up back in the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group and were knocked out by Liverpool in the knockout rounds, but Xavi has urged Mourinho to get them back into the big time.
“The domestic competitions have to be everything for United and Mourinho this season. I don’t think this season they can win the Premier League. These competitions are their hope for a trophy,” the Daily Mirror quotes Xavi as having said.
“Once Mourinho has had another transfer window, maybe they’ll be ready, but for now they must secure a finish in a Champions League spot – that’s where United belong.”
Man United reached three Champions League finals in four seasons from 2008 to 2011, winning one of them and losing the other two to Xavi’s Barcelona.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson they won the tournament twice but have not looked capable of winning it at any time over the last three years.
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