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United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he may start
prioritising the Europa League if his side reaches the quarter-final
stage.
The Red Devils are set to take on FC Rostov in the last 16, and will travel to Russia for the first leg clash on Thursday.
United still find themselves outside the top four of the Premier League which means that winning the Europa League may be their best bet for Champions League qualification.
"The Europa League is very difficult but it's a target for us and if we beat Rostov and we find ourselves in the quarterfinal, then we have to think really seriously about the Europa League," Mourinho said in The Guardian.
"The last 16 we are still far but when a team gets in the last eight you go to the quarterfinal draw.
"Quarterfinal, you smell the final and then in a certain period of the season I have to analyse my team, the players, the conditions of everyone and if I have to make choices, I have to make choices, but choices that I would always share with my owners [about priorities], with my board but it's not for now.
"For now it's just play - play against Rostov, play against Chelsea [in the FA Cup quarterfinal on Monday], play against Rostov again and then let's see how we are in all the competitions, and try to make the right decisions."
Meanwhile, United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss a FA Cup quarter-final clash at Chelsea after accepting a charge of violent conduct and an immediate three-match ban, England's Football Association said.
As well as Monday's FA Cup clash, the 35-year-old Ibrahimovic - United's leading scorer this season with 26 goals - will also miss the Premier League matches against Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion.
