MANCHESTER - Fenerbahce boss lose Mourinho said his former clubs Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the favourites to win the Europa League, as English Premier League sides are on a "different level" compared to teams from other European leagues.
Fenerbahce are preparing to face United in their third Europa League group-phase game this season after a win over Union Saint Gilloise and a draw against FC Twente. Mourinho managed United for 21/2 seasons - winning the competition and the League Cup in 2017 - while he also guided Spurs to a League Cup final.
"If I have to say now which are the two biggest candidates to win the Europa League, it's easy - Manchester United and Tottenham," Mourinho told reporters on Oct 23.
"The Premier League is a different level of quality, intensity, pace, tactical culture - a different level of everything. Tomorrow, we are going to play against one of the two strongest teams."
The Portuguese, a maestro at "mind games", could be seen as trying to add pressure on the Red Devils to gain an advantage at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Oct 24, as the English giants have struggled this season.
United manager Erik ten Hag secured a stay of execution with a 2-1 league victory over Brentford on Oct 19 to snap a five-game winless run. However, the 54-year-old remains under intense pressure as United languish in the bottom half of the English Premier League.
This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the October 24, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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