Be Tired For A Reason

Jose Mourinho appreciates how tough the Europa League is to win but has challenged his players to go all the way in the competition.

The Manchester United boss lifted the trophy with Porto in 2003 and is always hungry for more silverware.

Although refusing to take anything for granted against Saint-Etienne in tonight's Round of 32 second leg, the manager believes his team is capable of reaching May's final in Stockholm, despite his suspicion that some of the clubs left in the competition are better than sides in the Champions League.

"Everybody knows it’s a long competition and we know the teams that could possibly be in the next round of 16 are very good teams," he told MUTV. "They are teams that could perfectly be in the Champions League, probably some of us are better than some of the teams in the Champions League.

"So the competition will be very strong and we know it’s non-stop but let’s be tired for good reasons, not bad reasons, and let’s try to win and go to the next round."

Mourinho was at pains to point out there is still much work to be done against Saint-Etienne, who will be backed by a vociferous crowd, eager to see the three-goal deficit cut down.

"It’s a good result from the first leg," he added. "But it’s not over. They dream, they’re strong at home, they have a big support. It’s a bad pitch which doesn’t help us so it’s not easy. We have a job to do and we have to come with a strong team."