Jose Mourinho takes a confident team to Old Trafford on Sunday.
He was full of praise for the recent performances against Southampton, Newcastle and Chelsea. We toppled Saints 5-2 in the Premier League, were denied a deserved win by a late penalty against the Toon and came from behind to beat Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out in the Carabao Cup.
Jose took the 7-2 win against Maccabi Haifa out of the equation as he explained the feeling inside the camp as we approach the last of an eight-match run in 22 days.
“We are confident, we are playing well,” he said. “I take this (Maccabi Haifa) game out of the analysis, but the previous three, two Premier League matches and the Chelsea game, were proper games, difficult matches, the team played very well so hopefully we can go to Old Trafford and do the same.”
They have lots of good players, it’s going to be, of course, a difficult match, but I also don’t think it is going to be easy for them.
Asked what he expected from United, Jose replied: “They are a team full of great players. When I looked to their team at Brighton (Carabao Cup win in midweek) - and I don’t believe many of these players are going to play on Sunday - so many of my players were in that team, and in my team they were fundamental players in the team, now they are secondary players in the team.
“So, they have lots of good players, it’s going to be, of course, a difficult match, but I also don’t think it is going to be easy for them.”
Jose again reiterated that he didn’t want to rule Heung-Min Son in or out of the clash. “I don’t believe, but because he is so optimistic and always tries to give us positive feelings and hopes, I don’t want to say he’s completely out, because maybe he can surprise us.”