"Manchester United" legend Sir Alex Ferguson urges his former club to focus on the UEFA Europa League game.
In the English championship, the "Red Devils" currently occupy the fifth place and are four points behind the "Liverpool" one step above, but triumph in the second strongest tournament on the Old Continent could bring a ticket to the Champions League.
In the quarterfinals taking place in April, "Man United" will face Brussels' "Anderlecht".
"The essence is that we have never won the Europa League", Ferguson told ESPN FC. "We have never competed for the UEFA Cup, which used to be the tournament in the past. Now we got great draws. I'm not saying everything is guaranteed, but they have a great chance."
"This also allows us to play in the Champions League - that didn't exist before, but it does now, so it's a great incentive. And it's good that there is no "Sevilla" in it (Europa League)."
"If you win trophies, it's important. These are European trophies. It doesn't matter if it's not the Champions League - it's still European trophies. And if you win it, you get into the Champions League. The incentives to do so are greater."
"Also, it lengthens your CV. If we were to win the Europa League? Fantastic. Add to that the European Cup, the Winners' Cup, the Champions League - it extends and extends. We also want to be the most successful club in England."
