Mourinho only focused on finishing second ahead of derby

United travel across the city to the Etihad Stadium trailing their great rivals City by 16 points, knowing that defeat will ensure City secure their third league title in record time.

Mourinho only focused on finishing second ahead of derby

(Reuters)

However, preventing City from breaking that record with six games to spare is not something Mourinho is focusing on, the Portuguese said. Instead, he is only concerned with his own side's aspirations.

"My motivation is to finish second, I still have the motivation of finishing top four, mathematically it is not done," Mourinho said.

"That's the first objective. But after that I don't hide. We have been second for many many months.

"It is our objective to fight for that, and for that we need points. My objective for tomorrow is (to) try to have points to finish second."

Mourinho was particularly guarded when asked whether he felt United had beaten City to the signing of Alexis Sanchez in January.

City almost signed Sanchez last summer, having made a bid for the Chile international, and it was reported in the British press that City would come back with a fresh bid in January.

However, it was United who secured Sanchez's services. Mourinho, though, would not be drawn on whether he felt United had got one over on City.

"Did they spend money in January? Did they? Do you know that? Can you confirm that? I don't know, I have no idea if they were interested (in Sanchez) or not, I've no idea," Mourinho said.

(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Hugh Lawson)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world