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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has said that he would rather his team win the Europa League than finish in the top four of the Premier League, which would be the first time that the Red Devils have won the competition or its equivalent.
Speaking after United's 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough on Sunday, the Manchester club leapfrogged Arsenal into fifth place in the Premier League, four points behind Liverpool who currently occupy that final Champions League qualifying spot.
By winning the Europa League, Mourinho's team would qualify for next season's Champions League, meaning that they have two opportunities to qualify for Europe's elite competition in the next campaign. The Portuguese manager who has previously referred to himself as "The Special One" has admitted that he would rather win the Europa League, although his team must continue to fight for a top four finish in case that doesn't happen.
Speaking to Sky Sports Mourinho said "I prefer to win the Europa League because it gives us the same - Champions League football- but also a trophy, prestige, and a European Super Cup."
Next up for Manchester United in the Europa League is Anderlecht, who they will hope to overcome in order to secure a semi final place. Between now and the end of the Premier League season they still have to play Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham, which could massively influence the final league standings.
With an ever improving team and rumours of a huge transfer budget at Mourinho's disposal in the summer, if United do qualify for the Champions League next season, it would be no surprise if they were competing to win that too.
Written by Matt Button
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