Jose Mourinho has played down Manchester United’s chances of winning the Champions League this season.
United make their comeback to the competition on Tuesday night when Swiss champions Basel visit Old Trafford.
“I think in the Champions League there are four or five teams with an incredible level of quality and experience and know how and that’s what makes the difference.
“Apart from that there many teams in Champions League who are very similar to teams in the Europa League.
“Feyenoord and Anderlecht were in the Europa League last season and are champions in their countries and now playing in the Champions League.
“We have to try to qualify and go to the last 16 and enjoy that special knockout phase with the best teams in Europe.”
Fellaini trained with the squad at Carrington on Monday. But Mourinho insists it will be a huge blow if the Belgian is not fit to play for a second game in a row.
“He’s a very important player for me, much more important than what you can imagine,” Mourinho said.
“I feel weaker without Fellaini in my squad, it doesn’t matter if he is in team or the bench so if his condition is improved I will select him but I cannot say yet.”
“He had a problem, played the match against Greece and after the match felt the problem. When players go to the national team they belong to the national team.”
“I think it’s easier for him to play Champions League, it’s more comparable to the Portuguese style of football, to the football in the Portuguese League.
“There is more difference in relation to the Premier League. There is no need to adapt to the Champions League. He needs a bit more time to adapt to the Premier League, especially the new Premier League.
“He’s an intelligent kid, very bright, very clam, he knows step by step he is going to be there. But for Basel I know he is more than confident and I am more than confident.
“He is a kid with a lot of potential, trust me. There is reason for the others, Eric and Phil, to be worried because he is a very good player.”
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