Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, has claimed that the UEFA Champions League will be “empty” without the Red Devils.
United failed to qualify for the competition, after they finished fifth last season under Louis van Gaal.
“The Champions League is empty when Man United is not there. There are certain clubs — also Real Madrid, Barcelona – where the Champions League is not the Champions League if they are not there,” he told BT Sport.
“It’s Man United’s natural habitat. We have to get back.”
Mourinho, whose team will instead play in the Europa League, insists that his former club, Chelsea, have an advantage in the Premier League title race, because they are completely out of Europe.
He added: “If you were to say there are 20 candidates for the title, nobody will laugh. That is Leicester’s legacy.
“If you are just looking at what you call the big clubs, Arsenal and Tottenham are basically stable. Us and Manchester City have a new manager and some new players and, with the calendar, not much chance to train a lot.
“Chelsea also have a new manager but without European competition. To train Monday to Saturday – without a midweek game and European competition, injuries and fatigue – it’s a special vitamin for someone who wants to fight for the title.”
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