Manchester United’s season is coming to a close and the success of Jose Mourinho’s first year in charge at Old Trafford comes down to the remaining weeks, with tomorrow’s Europa League clash with Celta Vigo being crucial.

The Red Devils’ defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday has left their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League via a top-four finish in the Premier League looking rather bleak, leaving Mourinho’s side focusing on their Europa League charge.

Marcus Rashford’s free-kick in Spain last week gives Manchester United the advantage heading into tomorrow’s second-leg but a slender one goal lead means the tie is still there to play for, which will give Spanish minnows Celta Vigo hope.

United’s ranks have been depleted by injury this season but the fitness of key players isn’t the main talking point heading into tomorrow night’s semi-final, as Paul Pogba’s world-record signing from Juventus last summer is now subject to a FIFA enquiry.

As reported by the BBC, football’s world governing body is seeking clarification on the £89.3m deal amidst suggestions that the Frenchman’s agent, Mino Raiola, pocketed an astonishing £42m from the 24-year-old’s return to Manchester.

That raises significant concerns, not least due to the fact that Raiola also acts as the agent for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who also moved to Manchester United last summer, which suggests this may not be the last we hear of the investigation.

There’s never really a good time for these sort of reports to break but with the news coming on the eve of Manchester United’s most important game since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, there’s a danger that it could disrupt United’s preparations.

The pressure is on Manchester United to win the Europa League after focusing on their European venture and prioritising progression over the club’s Premier League charge, whilst they come up against a side that has already exceeded expectations.

United will find similar circumstances if they reach the final as Ajax, the likely opponents after the Dutch side’s 4-1 victory over Lyon this week, have also gone further than many expected and United will be favourites to secure the trophy.

With FIFA’s investigation putting United into a potentially negative light though, Manchester United need to rally together as a squad and get the result that they need- especially as the side is already ravaged by injuries and faces a stern test in the Premier League this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur.

Questions on the investigation are likely to be presented to Jose Mourinho in his pre-match press conference but the Portuguese boss should shun the opportunity to respond, instead focusing on the game in hand as these issues can wait until the close season.

With just weeks to go, Manchester United need to focus on the football and not any off-field controversies that raise their heads.