Manchester United have another incentive to win the Europa League this season other than qualifying for the Champions League, according to Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Red Devils chief believes Jose Mourinho's side have a great chance to lift the second-tier competition after drawing Anderlecht in the quarter-finals.

And Sir Alex is keen for the club to lift the trophy for the first time in their history, as well as the added reward of being handed a back door entrance to Europe's premier competition.

"The thing is, we've never won the Europa League," Ferguson told ESPN FC at the announcement of the International Champions Cup schedule. "We've never won UEFA Cup, what it used to be. And we've got a great draw. I'm not saying it's a certainty, but they've got a great chance.

Sir Alex Ferguson in the stands for United's Europa League tie vs Rostov (
Image:
REUTERS)
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"It gets you into the Champions League, too - it didn't used to but it does now, and so that's a great incentive."

With United in a fierce battle with Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal for a top four finish, the Europa League may well be Mourinho's easiest way back to where United need to be.

Jose Mourinho will be desperate to guide United back into the Champions League - even if it means winning the Europa League (
Image:
Getty)

The Portuguese boss famously launched his managerial career back in 2003, winning what was then known as the UEFA Cup with Porto over Celtic, and Sir Alex believes it is worthwhile for Mourinho to win it again.

"If you win a trophy, it's important," Sir Alex added. "It's a European trophy. It doesn't matter that it's not the Champions League, it's still a European trophy. And if you win it, you get into the Champions League. The incentive is greater to do that."

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