Manchester United, a Dominate Force- Jose Mourinho

United won 13 Premier League titles under Ferguson, but Mourinho says it is now impossible to be so dominant.

Asked if he could return the club to its former greatness, the Portuguese said: “Forget it.

“Don’t try to go 10, 20 years ago because it is not possible any more.”

In a wide-ranging interview with Gary Lineker for the Premier League Show, Mourinho also said:

• United do not need to qualify for the Champions League to attract top players.
• He would not have sold forwards Angel di Maria, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck had he been United manager.
• It has not been easy for midfielder Paul Pogba to adjust back to English football.
• Mourinho, 54, signed a three-year contract last May to replace Louis van Gaal, who was sacked despite winning the FA Cup.

  The Red Devils have finished seventh, fourth and fifth in the three full seasons since Ferguson’s retirement, and have been in sixth place since 6 November.

  Mourinho does not believe a return to winning the Premier League every year is close, but does not want the season to peter out after winning the EFL Cup last month.

  “We are not ready to be Manchester United,” he said.

  “We are not ready to be a dominant force. We are not ready to try and win everything.

  “Because of the nature of the club, and of myself, we are ready to fight for every game, every point. But there is a space between the general ambition of such a giant club and what we are in reality.”

  Mourinho said United – who beat Premier League champions Leicester City in the Community shield in August – had won “one and a half” trophies this season.

  “Many other teams in England are going to finish the season without a trophy,” he said. “But we have to fight for the top four, we have to fight for the Champions League. The cup is not enough to say that the season is over.”