Jose Mourinho announced in the presser that he aims to pick a strong lineup for the away fixture against Feyenoord.
Manchester United will play their first European game under Jose Mourinho having arrived at Rotterdam ahead of their away match against Feyenoord. The Portuguese talked to reporters ahead of the match.
Mourinho spent the initial part of the press conference explaining the absence of Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw from the matchday squad but gradually came to the topic of United’s participation in Europa League.
Jose was clear that Europa League is not something Manchester United aims for and that the club and the players of the club want to participate in the Champions League. But the Portuguese was quick to add that the club looks to win every game and that he would be picking a strong starting lineup for the fixture against Feyenoord.
He said, “It is too early to talk about winning this competition, but this is a big club and the next match is always important when you play for Man United.”
Mourinho also expressed his disappointment at the prospect of playing in front of a limited capacity with only half the stadium allowed to be filled by supporters due to previous nuisance caused by Feyenoord fans.
“There is not player or manager who wants to play in an empty stadium. We are lucky it is not closed, just half of it, but half is not the same as full. Every player wants a great atmosphere. The players are going to be punished, I am punished, van Bronckhorst will be punished,” the Portuguese told the reporters.
Jose, though, was quick to add that, as per his previous experiences, the half-filled stadium is also likely to provide a great atmosphere for the match.
One can expect a few fire-works on the pitch, if not off-the-pitch, at least as the two European giants fight it out in an unlikely encounter in the second tier of European competitions, and both the clubs would hope to gather momentum with a strong start.
