Jose Mourinho plays down United’s Champions League hopes.
Jose Mourinho talked down Manchester United’s chances of winning the Champions League ahead of Tuesday night’s second leg of their last-16 tie with Sevilla.
The fixture is finely balanced at 0-0 following a defensive display by Mourinho’s side in Spain, and the manager sounded dim talking about his chances of winning the trophy for a third time.
Mourinho said: “Not yet, but when a team reaches the last eight anything is possible. I know that it is very difficult to go through. If we go through to the quarter-final draw, it doesn’t matter the opponent – for us or for Sevilla – will always be one of the big names in European football, but we will try.”
Paul Pogba is a doubt for Manchester United’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Sevilla. Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Daley Blind remain sidelined.
Sevilla are lacking options down their right-hand side, with former Manchester City winger Jesus Navas ruled out with injury.
Opta stats
- United have only lost one of their last nine home Champions League games against Spanish sides (W5 D3), against Real Madrid at this stage in 2012-13.
- United haven’t managed to score more than one goal in any of their last 15 Champions League encounters with Spanish opposition.
- Sevilla have never won a Champions League game in England.