Jose Mourinho has warned that Manchester United’s run of three wins in a row has not changed his view that it will be a difficult season for the club.
United have eased talk of a crisis around Old Trafford with back-to-back Premier League victories over Burnley and Watford and a convincing Champions League win against Young Boys in Switzerland in midweek.
But United boss Mourinho insisted: ‘For sure, a difficult season,’ ahead of today’s clash with Wolves at Old Trafford.
‘I don’t change that because we won two matches in the Premier League. You see the level of the teams. You see the Liverpool squad, Manchester City squad, Chelsea squad, Tottenham squad, Arsenal improving. It’s going to be difficult.
‘I’m not saying we are going to have more points than last season because last season we collected a very acceptable level of points. I think we are going to be a better team. We are going to play better than we did, but I think it’s going to be a very difficult season. I am optimistic, but a difficult season, yes.’
Alexis Sanchez will replace Anthony Martial against Wolves even though Mourinho admitted the Chilean has yet to hit top form.
He is also set to recall captain Antonio Valencia in place of Diogo Dalot despite the teenager’s impressive debut in Bern.
‘Playing for United is difficult enough for a kid of 19 coming from another country after an important injury and surgery,’ said Mourinho. ‘He doesn’t need to face more difficulty.’
Meanwhile Nuno Espirito Santo, Mourinho’s former goalkeeper at Porto, has pledged Wolves will attack United at Old Trafford. He said: ‘Since last season we did it, there was no game I recall that we changed our shape.
‘You have to respect, you have to recognise you are in the face of a strong team. But you cannot be changed or have fear.’