Jose Mourinho didn’t get to make it to Christmas last year before he was booted by Manchester United following a poor start to the Premier League season.
Obviously, the former Chelsea boss doesn’t blame himself – he believes that United under-performed as they didn’t spend enough in the transfer window prior.
The season before last, Man U managed to finish second but were 18 points adrift of rivals City, and Mourinho recognised that they wouldn’t be able to claw that back.
Liverpool and City went on to fight for the title neck and neck after the Reds brought in star players Alisson and Fabinho – to name just two high-profile buys.
“I didn’t feel last season we did enough in the transfer market to allow us to compete for the first position,” Mourinho is quoted as saying by the Express.
“Last season, no [I didn’t believe United could win the title]. When I said that second position the previous season was one of my biggest achievements in football I was not having fun with the words.
“I just was just telling you what I was feeling. The season when we finished second was good. I didn’t feel last season we did enough in the transfer market to allow us to compete for the first position.
“Also because [though] we finished second the distance [to first] was very considerable.
“So I don’t think this season they can [win the title] but obviously I hope they feel they can because that will be an important motivational push for them.”
And to rub even more salt in the wound, the former United manager explained how winning the Europa League and finishing fourth would make for an incredible season at Old Trafford.
It was only a few years ago that we’d have taken that, mind, but oh how the mighty have fallen.
“Europa League, if you are a team like Manchester United, you have to win,” Mourinho added. “In the Premier League, obviously the dressing room must feel that they can win the title. If they don’t feel it, they are in trouble.
“But finishing in the top four would be a big achievement for them.“