Manchester United’s season will be a success even if they lose the Europa League final, says boss Jose Mourinho.
But Mourinho accepts it would “make sense” for the season to be viewed as a failure if United, who edged out Celta Vigo to reach the final, lose to Ajax.
Mourinho, 54, became the first manager in United history to win a major trophy in his first season when he claimed the EFL Cup in February.
“We did things nobody did in this club in the first season,” said Mourinho.
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The Portuguese guided his team to a record 25-game unbeaten run in the Premier League before it was ended by Arsenal on Sunday to dent their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Mourinho believes his side, currently sixth in the Premier League, will not now finish in the top four so must win the Europa League to reach next season’s Champions League.
When asked if the result of the 24 May final in Stockholm would determine whether United’s season was a success or failure, he said the media “have the right to say it and it makes sense to say it, but I don’t feel like that”.
“We have these things, but [the media] are always looking at these kind of capital letters, big headlines,” added the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager.
“I probably work, this season, harder than ever. When I analyse, I don’t think [losing the final would be failure], but if I was in your chair, maybe.”
