Europa League

Jose Mourinho: 'Players will be motivated for Europa League campaign'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 14 September 2016

Mourinho: 'Players will be motivated for EL'

Jose Mourinho admits that the Europa League "is not a competition that Manchester United wants", but is still confident that his players will give their all to progress.

Jose Mourinho has confessed that Manchester United do not want to compete in the Europa League but insists that his players will not struggle to find motivation.

The Red Devils missed out on qualification for the Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, meaning another campaign in Europe's secondary competition.

United kick things off with a meeting against Feyenoord in Rotterdam on Thursday evening, while also facing Fenerbahce and minnows Zorya Luhansk in double-headers over the next two months, and Mourinho admits that the gruelling schedule will put his side at a disadvantage in the Premier League.

However, the Portuguese has declared that European heavyweights United will not take the competition lightly and will be fully up for their match against Feyenoord.

"This is not a competition that Manchester United wants," he told reporters. "It's not the competition I or the players want. But it is the competition where we are and that is the reality. We have to look to the competition with respect and we want to win the competition.

"It is difficult to do it, but it is simple to say, and this is how we want to approach the competition tomorrow. It is an important match for us and we must find the motivation that I found myself already.

"I have to try and pass that motivation to the players, because I know the Europa League is not the big dream of every player. But you are not in the Champions League, so you have to find your motivation in the competition you are in."

United skipper Wayne Rooney will play no part in the opening group-stage fixture as he has been omitted from the travelling party for fitness reasons.