Manchester United travel to the King Power Stadium to face the in-form Foxes on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho believes that his Manchester United side will be coming up against potential Europa League contenders when they face Leicester City this weekend, Sky Sports reports.
The Foxes have won four of their last five matches ahead of United’s visit to the King Power Stadium and are starting to look like a force to be reckoned with under new manager Claude Puel.
Red Devils boss Mourinho feels that Leicester are not far from being the team that they were when they won the Premier League in 2015-16 – an achievement which he describes as “phenomenal” – and is tipping them to push for Europa League qualification.
“They were phenomenal in that season, they benefitted from the fact that all the normal contenders did not have a good season, all at the same time,” Sky Sports quotes Mourinho as saying.
“Expectations are if the top teams perform it is very difficult for them to have the same dream or to reach the same incredible title, but I think they are doing well. They are in a comfortable position, No fears, no dramas, can they fight to reach an Europe League position? Yes they can. They are the same good team they were.”
Leicester’s last European campaign provided the club with more wonderful memories as they advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League before narrowly going down to Atletico Madrid.
For the Foxes to qualify for the Europa League, the lowest that they could finish in the top flight would be seventh. Tottenham Hotspur currently occupy that spot, five points clear of Leicester in eighth.
After a shaky start to the season, Everton appear to be back on track under Sam Allardyce, while Burnley are flying high in sixth. They will likely be Leicester’s main rivals to be the best of the rest.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
