The Red Devils are eager to force their way into that pack this season, but their manager admits the winning major trophies has to be the priority
Jose Mourinho is eager to ensure that Manchester United do not become “happy fighting for the top four”, insisting that major titles are still his priority.
The Red Devils have collected more silverware this season, with the Community Shield and EFL Cup returned to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet.
They are also through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, with Mourinho determined to savour further success in Europe.
He is, however, also looking to push the club into Champions League contention through their Premier League standing, with it important that the club keep striving for ongoing improvement on all fronts.
The Portuguese said after a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light:
“After Liverpool and Manchester City’s victories, it was a difficult win.
“It’s almost mathematically impossible so it was important for us to win and that was the main objective. We are still fighting for our situation in the Premier League, but the Europa League will become a more fundamental competition for us.
“I think it is as difficult as finishing fourth, that is the only competition that we can win now and we have to fight for that.
“I don’t want to our club to be just happy with fighting for the top four and Champions League, we want to fight for trophies.”
United have moved back into fifth place in the Premier League table, four points behind arch-rivals Manchester City with a game in hand.
They will, however, slip down to sixth once again if Arsenal emerge victorious in a London derby with Crystal Palace on Monday evening.
