Sir Alex Ferguson sends message to Man United boss Jose Mourinho

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Jose Mourinho to focus on guiding Manchester United to Europa League glory this season.

The Portuguese coach has already steered the Red Devils to one major trophy this season after they beat Southampton at Wembley to win the EFL Cup.

Manchester United are fifth in the Premier League as they bid to secure a top-four finish in Mourinho’s first season in charge at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are also preparing for a quarter-final clash against Belgian side Anderlecht in the Europa League next month.

And former Manchester United manager Ferguson feels that Mourinho should concentrate on trying to lead the Red Devils to European glory this season – because it is a competition the club has never won.

Ferguson told ESPN FC: “The thing is, we’ve never won the Europa League.

“We’ve never won Uefa Cup, what it used to be. And we’ve got a great draw. I’m not saying it’s a certainty, but they’ve got a great chance.

“It gets you into the Champions League, too – it didn’t used to but it does now, and so that’s a great incentive. And there’s no Sevilla in it, so that’s good.

“If you win a trophy, it’s important. It’s a European trophy.

“It doesn’t matter that it’s not the Champions League – it’s still a European trophy.

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“And if you win it, you get into the Champions League. The incentive is greater to do that.

“And your CV gets bigger. If we won the Europa League? Fantastic. Add it to the European Cup, the Cup Winners’ Cup, the Champions League – It’s bigger and bigger. We also want to be the most successful club in England.”

Manchester United, who finished fifth under Louis van Gaal last season, return to Premier League action after the international break with a home clash against West Brom at Old Trafford.