'Different level': Jose Mourinho shares Europa League prediction involving Tottenham and Man United
Today at 01:15 PM
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are both in Europa League action on Thursday night following wins over the weekend.
Ange Postecoglou’s men have the luxury of remaining in north London as Dutch side AZ Alkmaar make the visit.
However, Manchester United will be making the journey to Turkey where they will be coming up against their former manager, Jose Mourinho.
With both sides already looking to be out of the running for the Premier League title, the Europa League is going to offer both Tottenham and United an opportunity at silverware.
But Mourinho – the former manager of both sides – has now shared his thoughts on whether either of these sides could actually taste success this season.
Whether Jose Mourinho thinks Tottenham or Man United could win the Europa League
For Tottenham, it has been a positive start in the Europa League with victories in both of their opening games.
The same cannot be said about the Red Devils who have drawn both of their games and go into their third game slumped down in 21st of the new formatted table.
And it is not exactly going to be a straightforward game on Thursday for United who will face a hostile environment when they make the trip to Istanbul.
- READ MORE:Victor Orta already asking Tottenham to loan 'priceless' summer signing to Sevilla in January
However, Mourinho has been speaking ahead of the game against his former side and has claimed both Spurs and United are two of his favourites to win the European crown.
"If I have to say now which are the two biggest candidates to win the Europa League, I think it's easy, Man United and Tottenham,” he said.
"Premier League is a different level of quality, intensity, pace and tactical culture, it's a different level of everything. So I think tomorrow we are going to play against one of the two strongest teams."
Tottenham need to end trophy drought with Europa League
The new format which has been introduced this season across the European competitions could offer Spurs the perfect opportunity to finally get their hands on a trophy.
With more teams involved in this season’s competition, no Champions League sides will drop down into the Europa League knockout stages.
Spurs have made a positive start to their Europa League campaign but the real tests will come in their game against Roma and away trip to Galatasaray in the league stage.
Postecoglou’s side are already eight points behind the race for the title so there is no reason why all of their eggs shouldn’t be put in the Europa League if they are able to progress through to the knockouts.
And if Tottenham were to come up against United at some stage, they’d surely be confident having recently beaten them 3-0 at Old Trafford.
