JOSE MOURINHO has his sights set on second.
It is not something you would usually say about the Special One.
But having already conceded the Premier League title to Chelsea, it is the next best thing.
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Just one defeat in 26 games in all competitions has helped his Manchester United win the EFL Cup and reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and last 16 of the Europa League.
Despite that impressive form, they have been flat-lining in sixth in the league. Now Mourinho wants that element of their season to come alive.
They are only five points behind Spurs in second and could move up to fifth this weekend with Arsenal and Liverpool playing each other.
It will still be tricky for United to get that runners-up spot with a tough set of fixtures ahead.
But Mourinho said: “The second position is very difficult but it’s very possible. First is impossible.
“Second is possible and we have to fight for it.
“We have the most crazy calendar fixtures that somebody can have.”
Mourinho will be utilising his whole squad and wants forgotten man Luke Shaw to realise he can be a big part of their ambitions in the remainder of the season.
It seemed he had given up on 21-year-old left-back Shaw, who has had his problems with form and fitness this season.
The £33million defender has started only one game this year and has not begun a league game since October.
On Friday, however, Mourinho said Shaw was back in the first-team squad for Saturday’s early game with Bournemouth.
And he made it clear he still has faith in a player who, he claims, can be his best left-back and a permanent fixture in the years ahead.
Mourinho said: “In practical terms we have lots of left-backs.
“It doesn’t look like it but the reality is that Blind, Shaw, Rojo, Darmian are all playing left-back and can play there. They are different players.
“I think the one that should be, in a couple of years. the best of all — because potentially he should have all the conditions to be the best of all — is Luke Shaw.
“By age, by physicality, by intensity, aggressive going forward, he should be the best. But to be the best you need to work hard. It’s what he’s trying to do.
“Luke is working hard, he has improved from the physical point of view I can say that by good dedication, specific work.
“Now he needs some opportunities to feel alive, he needs minutes on the pitch to show evolution is not physical but global because a player is not just about a better physical condition.”
That will be music to Shaw’s ears after fearing he would might have to go elsewhere to find first-team football.
Another whose future has been in doubt for even longer is record- scorer Wayne Rooney.
But Mourinho has not totally given up on his captain either and wants him there next season.
That is despite Rooney coming close to a move to China last month and Everton boss Ronald Koeman publicly stating his desire to take him back to Goodison.
But Mourinho said: “With Wayne, I got a very strong message that ‘I don’t go anywhere especially China. I want to fight and help this team in every single game’.
“So until the end of the season he is 100 per cent with us.
“Next season 100 per cent I would like him to be with us.
“I like the players to be happy and not just to be with me because I want them with me.”
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