Mourinho backs Man Utd glory hunt Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United can complete the quintuple this season.
United reached the Champions League quarter-finals by knocking out Inter on Wednesday and Mourinho said: "Right now they're at their maximum level.
"They have experience, quality, great physical condition and intensity in their game. That's why they're European champions. That is why they can win everything. I think they can win five trophies." United have already won the Fifa Club World Cup and the Carling Cup and the 2-0 aggregate victory over Inter keeps Sir Alex Ferguson's side on course to retain the Champions League.
The Red Devils are seven points clear in the Premier League and are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Mourinho added: "United have worked together for five consecutive years. They were a young side but are not young anymore. "They have basically the same team as when I was at Chelsea. Only Dimitar Berbatov is new. United are a quality team and showed against us exactly why they are European champions. You have to say they deserved to win."
After a goalless draw in the San Siro a fortnight ago, Nemanja Vidic gave United the lead after four minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo headed United's second just after the break. But Inter also had their chances and hit the woodwork twice. "They scored two goals over the course of the two games and we have to accept that, in football, the team that wins always deserves it but I don't think we should be negative about my team's display," stated Mourinho.
"We played a great match against a great team. We just lacked that little bit of luck you need to win, that little thing that makes that difference between winning and not winning. We went one down after a couple of minutes but we had three chances to score in the first half, more than our opponents, and we hit the bar from three metres out. In the second half we lost another goal but we continued to play and we showed great character."
Mourinho is confident his side will bounce back from the disappointment and go on to seal a fourth consecutive Serie A title. They are currently top of the table, seven points clear of second-placed Juventus.
"We have not been good enough to win the Champions League but we are good enough to win the Scudetto and I'm sure we will go on and win it," he said. Mourinho also revealed he would be telling Inter president Massimo Moratti what needs to be done to make Inter a match for the likes of United.
"You can't just turn up and expect to win the Champions League just like that," he commented. One way is to spend a huge amount of money, which we know is not realistic in the current climate. The second way is to build a team over the course of time. Chelsea lost three semis before getting to last year's final. It is a process and getting to the top is a consequence of the hard work you put in."
United can tighten their grip on the Premier League by beating title rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7938770.stm