Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho dismisses Carabao Cup and claims it is harming Premier League club’s hopes for European glory

JOSE MOURINHO reckons the League Cup is harming English clubs’ hopes of Champions League glory.

Holders Manchester United coasted into the last 16 by beating Burton 4-1, with the Special One aiming for a record fifth triumph.

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But Mourinho says he could live without the extra demands of chasing a fourth piece of silverware.

The United boss, who faces back-to-back away trips to Southampton and CSKA Moscow in the next six days, said: “If the competition’s an official competition then it’s important for Manchester United and for me as a manager.

“If you ask me could English football survive or even be better without this competition? Maybe.

“Maybe we’d be fresher for European competition, for example.”

Both Mourinho and Burton boss Nigel Clough made nine changes apiece to their previous line-ups.

Arsene Wenger changed his entire Arsenal side, while Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte made nine changes from the team’s 0-0 draw last weekend.

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Mourinho’s honesty came on the back of the admission by Spurs chief Mauricio Pochettino that neither domestic cup was a priority this season.

The total third-round attendance was more than 203,000 down on the average league gates for the home teams.

Mourinho added: “But we have this competition, we have to respect the sponsors, we have to respect the opponents and a lot of us are trying to do our best.”

Despite his comments, only Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough have won the competition as many times as Mourinho.

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It was Clough’s son Nigel on the receiving end last night as Marcus Rashford, with two, and Jesse Lingard fired United 3-0 up at half-time, before Anthony Martial hit No 4.

Mourinho added: “No injuries, no cards, we won and they lost with dignity and had a positive performance, so I think everybody is happy.”

Clough was happy Lloyd Dyer hit a consolation.

He said: “It was lovely for our supporters. Most will never have dreamt Burton Albion would ever score at Old Trafford.”