Manchester United are hoping to get past Real Sociedad in the Europa League and potentially set on a path towards facing Jose Mourinho.
The Europa League takes full focus for Manchester United on Thursday evening.
Ruben Amorim takes his side to face Real Sociedad in the first leg of this last 16 clash before hosting the second leg at Old Trafford.
Amorim has played down the Europa League’s importance to United’s season, believing that the bigger picture is more important than just one trophy.
We can understand Amorim’s long-term view here but United must be looking to progress for a quarter-final matchup against FCSB or Lyon.
Get to the semi-finals and United may well face a battle with a very familiar face for a spot in the Europa League final…
Photo by Ahmad Mora - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Ahmad Mora – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Jose Mourinho on Sir Jim Ratcliffe
The Europa League bracket has drawn Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on the same side as United.
Fenerbahce face a tough route to the final though, first taking on Rangers before a potential meeting with Roma or Athletic Club.
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The stars would need to align for United to meet Fenerbahce in the semi-finals but a two-legged clash with Mourinho sounds like the stuff of nightmare.
Sir Alex Ferguson found that out back in 2004 as Mourinho sprinted down the Old Trafford touchline to celebrate Porto’s tie-clinching goal.
Mourinho was axed by United in 2018 and would no doubt love some revenge with Fenerbahce, but has now commented on Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ineos chief Ratcliffe has now spent just over a year in charge at Old Trafford and United fans are yet to be convinced.
Mourinho has highlighted his connection to Ratcliffe in the past, suggesting last year that he had a ‘very good feeling’ about his United prospects.
Mourinho has now told Sky Sports that he thinks Ratcliffe is a ‘good person’ and a ‘great businessman’.
The Fenerbahce boss claims that the pair have a good relationship, but feels sorry for United staff who have lost their jobs due to Ratcliffe’s cuts.
Mourinho wants United to go ‘in the right direction’ under Ineos, seemingly throwing his backing behind Ratcliffe amid strong fan criticism.
“To be honest I don’t know much about what’s happening,” said Mourinho.
“I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. I’m not saying we are big friends but we have a good relationship. I know him well. He invited me to his house a couple of times. I see him as a good person and a great businessman.
“Of course, I feel for some of the people that I know [losing their jobs], but hopefully it goes in the right direction,” he added.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe yet to convince Manchester United fans
The hope was that Ineos would bring some semblance of organisation to United after years of mismanagement under the Glazers.
Instead, Ineos have brought more questions than answers after an unconvincing first year at Old Trafford.
Dan Ashworth’s exit springs to mind here with Ineos headhunting him to become United’s new sporting director.
Ashworth left Newcastle United for a move to Old Trafford but left the club after less than six months in the job.
That was not a good look for Ineos with Ashworth paid off mere months after arriving, bringing Ratcliffe’s decision-making into question.
United announced more redundancies last week and the cuts across the club don’t look great when millions were wasted on Ashworth.
Ratcliffe has a big job on his hands in terms of turning United around, but getting fans back on side will just as difficult – even if Mourinho has belief in him.