Man Utd v Sevilla: Champions League now the main target for Jose Mourinho
Paul Higham says only a big Champions League challenge from Man Utd will salvage the season for Jose Mourinho.
Jose Mourinho’s Champions League teams have only lost three last 16 ties, but there’s a sizeable banana skin awaiting in Sevilla on Wednesday in their most important game of the season so far.
Mourinho is bidding to become the only manager to win the Champions League with three different teams this season, and this competition is now the main focus for the Red Devils as they head out to Spain.
Not just being so far behind in the Premier League title race, but being those 16 points behind neighbours Manchester City means the pressure is on Mourinho to provide some spark for the season.
United are still in the FA Cup, but that trophy will not solely get him off the hook given the amount of money he’s spent on transfers and more recently on the wage package to land Alexis Sanchez.
So then, only success or a deep run in the Champions League will do, but Sevilla have the kind of wildcard abilities that could unsettle Mourinho’s plans. Check out Sky Bet's odds.
Jose’s Champions League record
Mourinho has won the competition twice – he can join Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti as three-time winners but would be the first to do it managing three different teams.
He’s only lost three of 11 last 16 ties, and beating Sevilla could almost mean an automatic semi-final spot as he’s never lost a quarter-final in the competition.
Winning just two of eight semi-final ties will not sit well with Mourinho although they did lead to two trophies – but it has been levelled at him that he’s better managing the underdog such as Porto and Inter, while he could not lead Chelsea or Real Madrid to the final.
Pogba Problem
A possible problem has emerged with big-money signing Paul Pogba, who is reportedly unhappy with being asked to play a more deep-lying role as he sees himself as more effective further forward creating chances.
Pogba missed the weekend’s FA Cup win at Huddersfield through illness so is a doubt for the trip to Seville, which could be a blessing in disguise if he’s again asked to operate in a more defensive manner.
When he’s been let off the leash, Pogba has provided a fine creative spark further forward – Mourinho may need to loosen the shackles again if he’s to go further in the competition.
Sevilla the surprise package
Consistently inconsistent is perhaps the ideal phrase to sum up United’s opposition on Wednesday and that wildcard unpredictability could upset even Mourinho’s more regimented playing style.
Vincenzo Montella took over as manager in December and their up-and-down form has levelled out of late – they’ve won three in a row and have made the Cope del Rey final.
The Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan fortress has been breached just once this season, and Sevilla have shown they have their faults but are never beaten given they came from 3-0 down to draw with Liverpool at home in the group stages.
It will not be a comfortable night for United in Spain – where they’ve won just two of their last 23 matches, although their last trip did result in a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo last May.
Mourinho knows the pressure is on to deliver in this tournament to keep his fine record alive.
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