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Jose Mourinho: My thoughts on Manchester United's Europa League round of 32 draw
JOSE MOURINHO admits he's pleased with Manchester United's Europa League round of 32 draw.
Jose Mourinho pleased with Europa League draw
Manchester United will go up against Ligue 1 outfit Saint-Etienne in the Europa League knockout stages and Jose Mourinho is happy with the short flight to central France.
The tie will see United's Paul Pogba face his brother Flortentin, and Mourinho admits the £89million man was laughing after the draw was announced.
United had long trips to Ukraine and Turkey to play Zorya Luhansk and Fenerbahce in Group A, which they finished as runners-up.
Paul Pogba will go up against brother Florentin in Europa League round of 32
Mourinho said: “It’s a nice thing. Paul was already laughing and for sure it’s a nice thing.
“Then the good thing is the travel distance. We were very unlucky in the group phase, we had to go very far, it was very difficult to go to Turkey, Ukraine.
“Now we go to France because the flight is easy and it’s not an easy period, there are lots of games, so that is good.
Jose Mourinho relieved with short trip to France
The Red Devils manager added: “Saint-Etienne is an historic old club with lots of tradition.
“People of my generation will never forget that [Michel] Platini team and it will be difficult because every team now is a good team in the competition.
“For sure, Manchester United is one of the big names in the competition but we have two months without the Europa League, two months to forget it, then we will see.”