Manchester United’s debut season under the guidance of Jose Mourinho has seen the Red Devils fall short of expectations in the Premier League, as the club are set to finish in sixth position- one place behind the spot they finished in under Louis Van Gaal last year.

Passage to the Champions League can still be secured with victory over Ajax next week in the Europa League final in Stockholm but matching the minimum objectives this term will not be seen as good enough by many.

With the money that Manchester United have spent, and the exceptional amount they’re likely to splash in the summer window, challenging for the Premier League title is a necessity next season- and Jose Mourinho is adamant his side will push for league glory.

Quoted by Sky Sports,  Mourinho said:

“This season we are not close to winning the league. There are clubs with more stability than us, better squads, more time to work. I cannot say that but I’m pretty sure that from a mental and a tactical point of view, we have had a very good evolution.”

“If, in the next transfer window, we manage to be successful, I think we can [challenge for the title]. The one that I really enjoy doing is the transition from the first to the second season because I know what I do, I know what I don’t do.”

“There is work to be done. The good thing is the club knows, the board knows, I know and we are together on this process. It was not the kind of club and team where you were ready to arrive and to go with everything and go direct to the big titles.”

Mourinho’s explanations this season will be accepted by many fans, who will put the campaign down as a transitional season, but it will be difficult to defend the club next season if they fall short of their expectations once again.

On the field, it’s clear to see Manchester United have improved with their summer additions and the guidance of Mourinho but the league standings don’t back that up, as it suggests the Red Devils have taken a step backwards.

Fortunately, winning the Europa League can offer some comfort and the Red Devils need to ensure they don’t fall short against Ajax- as playing in the Europa League again next season will severely effect United’s chances of winning the Premier League title.

For now, the focus must be on next week’s game and the summer ahead but Mourinho needs to show there is more to come from his Manchester United side, especially after a league-high 15 draws this season.