Jose Mourinho has backtracked from his suggestion that Manchester United need a “miracle” to finish in the top four this season, but said he has had to change his target of making up the ground by the end of the year.
The United manager told a Brazilian TV channel following the 2-2 draw at Southampton that his team, eight points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal, would need to do something special to finish in the Champions League places.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Mourinho claimed that did not accurately represent his feelings but said he had all but written off their chances of ending 2018 in the top four.
“I don’t know if I say [miracle] or if I didn’t but if I used that word it is not what I feel at all,” he said ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday.
“We need a good run of results, not wasting points we shouldn’t waste. I said my hopes and targets were by the end of December to be in that position [in the top four]. Read more