Manchester United supporters know all too well about Jose Mourinho’s underdog gimmick.
This is a man who could make a Ferrari seem like an outsider in a race against a Toyota Prius. And, in typical Jose Mourinho style, he wasted no time painting his former employers as favourites – not only for Thursday’s clash but for the Europa League as a whole – during a bout of typical pre-match antics.
Manchester United will go head-to-head with the coach who won them the competition back in 2017 this week.
Seven years on from that 2-0 win over Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt and Andre Onana will be lining up in United colours as the much-maligned Erik ten Hag looks to finally get a first win on the board during the current Europa League campaign.
Man United collapsed against FC Twente at Old Trafford. Ten Hag needed Onana to bail him out in that 3-3 draw with Porto, Harry Maguire rescuing a draw in stoppage time.
As such, Mourinho is expecting Ten Hag to go full-strength as the Red Devils look to build some much-needed momentum after beating Brentford last time out.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho predicts Manchester United success
“I am not the manager of Manchester United. I don’t see any reason for them to be afraid,” Mourinho says at his press conference.
“They know that the game will not be easy, they know that it will be a difficult game [so] they will come here with maximum strength.”
“In Europe, Manchester United could not win but they haven’t lost either. It is not easy to play away against Porto. We played against Twente too [and drew 1-1].
“Manchester United has a lot of potential. I can say that Manchester United and Tottenham are favourites in this tournament.
“We will play with one of the strongest candidates.”
Mourinho was in no mood to pile extra pressure on one of his Old Trafford predecessors, however.
In fact, Mourinho echoes his former Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo when predicting that success may be just around the corner for a Man United side who, at last, have an ownership group interested in more than profit margins.
Mourinho hails Ineos for showing faith in Erik ten Hag
“I wish them success. It’s the nature of football that we will face them and I want to win,” adds Mourinho, who also won the UEFA Cup – the precursor to the Europa League – with Porto.
“You may think that I’m laughing at Manchester United’s situation and playing mind games [but] we’ve analysed them and they are a really good team. They will be successful soon. I hope it will be soon.”
Mourinho could not resist a dig at Man United’s previous decision-makers, however. He highlights the faith Ineos have shown – and continue to show – in Ten Hag, and contrasts that to his miserable final few months under the Glazers and Ed Woodward.
“Even if they’re not great at the moment, that doesn’t make me happy,” the 61-year-old Portuguese explains. “They show their support and trust in Erik ten Hag. They believe that their coach and their team can change.
“That’s the difference with my time.”
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