Jose Mourinho Arrivals Manchester United In The Europa League, There Is Still Love For Ex-club

Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United can be successful (Instagram/@josemourinho).

JAKARTA - Fenerbahce's manager, Jose Mourinho, said he hoped his former Manchester United club would succeed sooner or later despite the ongoing upheaval.

Erik ten Hag's squad is 12th in the standings after winning just three of the eight opening league games and never winning in the Europa League (two draws).

On the third matchday of the Europa League, Mourinho will arrive at Manchester United on Friday, October 25, 2024, early morning WIB.

However, despite the competition, Mourinho is optimistic that the Red Devils will pass through the storm that hit him.

"After analyzing them with my team, there is work there. They will work sooner or later."

"I want them to succeed. I wish the best for the coaches and players. I want the best for them."

"If things don't go very well for them, it's not something I'm happy about," Mourinho said as reported by ESPN.

Mourinho said he understood the frustration of Manchester United fans after winning just one win in nine European games.

Ten Hag's side finally stopped five games without a straight win (four draws and one defeat) in all competitions when they won over Brentford 2-1 on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

Despite experiencing difficulties this season, Mourinho said Manchester United could lift Europa League trophies this season.

"They have a better team than the results show," said Mourinho.

"If I have to say now who are the two biggest candidates to win the Europa League, I think it's easy."

"I would say Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. The Premier League has different quality levels, intensity, speed, different tactical culture, from everything."

"Tomorrow we will play against one of the two strongest teams," said Mourinho again.

Erik ten Hag took over the Red Devils in April 2022 and has brought the team to win two trophies, Carabao Cup in 2023 and FA Cup last season.

According to Mourinho, this achievement has made Erik ten Hag still trusted to lead the Red Devils. In addition, players also still believe in the coach.

"They still believe in the coach. They support the coach. The coach stays from season to season and that means stability, that means trust," Mourinho said of United's support for Ten Hag.

"They gave him (Ten Hag) the condition to continue to develop his work. That's a difference in his relationship with me," said the Portuguese coach.

Mourinho, who coached Manchester United from 2016 to 2018, won the Europa League and Carabao Cup. He was sacked while his team was 11 points behind Champions League positions in December 2018.

Meanwhile, Mourinho still hopes he can win the Premier League with Manchester United if Manchester City is retroactively reduced by points due to Financial Fair Play violations.

The Citizens face 115 charges for violating Premier League financial regulations and can be repealed or less points if found guilty.

"We finished second in the Premier League ( 19 points behind Manchester City in the 2017/2018) season."

"I think we still have a chance to win the league as they may punish Manchester City with points."

"Maybe Manchester United won the league and they have to pay me a bonus and give me a medal," said Mourinho.