Jose Mourinho has insisted that Manchester United's immediate objective is to secure a top-four finish, dismissing talk of a title challenge while the club languishes outside the Champions League places. The Portuguese manager, under pressure after a difficult start to the season, remains confident he can guide the team back into the top four for the third consecutive year.
United currently sit eighth in the Premier League, but victory against Bournemouth on Saturday could lift them to sixth. Mourinho, however, is adamant that improvement is on the horizon. “When you are outside the top four I don’t think you should speak about the title race,” he said. “The point is now to get the points we need to try and be in the end of December, like I expect to be, in a better position.”
The manager’s position has been under intense scrutiny, but the club’s hierarchy, led by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, continues to offer support. Woodward has only sacked managers after failing to secure Champions League qualification, meaning Mourinho will likely be given time to prove he can deliver a top-four finish. However, a challenging run of fixtures, including away trips to Juventus and Manchester City, could prove pivotal.
Mourinho pointed to signs of improvement in recent draws and wins, but called for patience. “The calendar was not nice to us,” he noted, citing away games against three title contenders. “I think by the end of December we are not going to be in the position we are now. We will be in a better position.”
