Jose Mourinho Says Man U’s EFL Cup Semifinal Vs Hull City Is Bigger Than Liverpool League Clash

Manchester United will be facing Hull City in an EFL Cup semi-final first leg game against Hull City on Tuesday, and manager Jose Mourinho insists this match is even more important than Sunday’s Premier League road contest against Liverpool.

Jose Mourinho Says Man U’s EFL Cup Semifinal Vs Hull City Is Bigger Than Liverpool League Clash

United are potentially three games away from Mourinho’s first title since replacing Louis van Gaal as manager last summer. The Red Devils are seeking to win the EFL for the first time in seven years, and Mourinho is chasing his fourth trophy after his titles with Chelsea in 2005, 2007 and 2015.

“Hull may look at the semi-final as a big occasion. Maybe for them, they have a more important game three days later in the Premier League,” said Mourinho. “Liverpool is a big match for us but we want to be in the final. We will face Hull with all the power we have. The second leg is away so if we can do something in the first leg to give us an advantage, we will try that.”

Mourinho’s record in the EFL Cup is better than all of his main rivals. Jurgen Klopp reached the final at the first time of asking last season, while both Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola saw their first league cup campaigns end in early elimination. Neither Arsene Wenger nor Mauricio Pochettino have won the trophy either.

“I won the League Cup twice in Cardiff but when it moved to Wembley I think the meaning is even better so why not try (and win it)?” the 53-year-old Portuguese added.

“It’s a two-legged competition, if we don’t play well in one leg you have another match to try so we are going to try.”

United defeated Reading 4-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday. That victory saw the Red Devils extend their winning streak in all competitions to eight.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 27: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford on November 27, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)