Ex-Barcelona maestro Xavi Hernandez has stated that the Champions League is where Manchester United “belong” whilst talking about the Red Devils and their noisy neighbours, Manchester City.
Xavi, who started for Barcelona in both of their recent Champions League Final victories over United (2009 and 2011), is quoted by the Mirror as having said:
“Once Mourinho has had another transfer window, maybe they’ll be ready, but for now they must secure a finish in a Champions League spot – that’s where United belong.”
Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are currently 7th in the Premier League, already six points behind leaders Manchester City, having lost three of their first nine league games this season.
Xavi hopes that Mourinho will not revert to his old stubborn methods to bring him more success with the Old Trafford club:
“Sometimes, when things don’t go well for Mourinho, he wants war not football – like when he was at Madrid – and I hope we don’t see that again in England.”
With United’s next game coming against Manchester City in the EFL Cup, Xavi was also on hand to discuss the rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola – something he witnessed first hand when the pair came head to head in La Liga:
“When I knew they would be rival coaches again, I knew it would be good for football – I knew it would be especially good for English football.”
“They’re two of the best coaches in the world and their duel can be the best in football.”
Despite his respect for Manchester United as a club, Xavi doesn’t feel that this will be their season in terms of trumping Pep Guardiola and Manchester City:
“Even with City dropping some points in the league, I still think under Pep they’ll be champions this season.”
“The domestic competitions have to be everything for United and Mourinho this season. I don’t think this season they can win the Premier League. These competitions are their hope for a trophy.”
