Benitez insists Manchester United clash not a priority
Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has played down the importance of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United, insisting that the Blues’ Europa League tie with Steaua Bucharest is his top priority.
The Londoners take on the Romanian outfit this evening, as their hectic end to the season continues.
Benitez’s men are still battling to guarantee a Champions League spot for next season, whilst simultaneously attempting to retain the FA Cup.
Although their weekend clash with United is undoubtedly a big match, the Spaniard is purely focused on Steaua and a spot on the Europa League quarter-finals:
“We will try to progress in every competition and the next game is the most important game,” he is quoted by Sky Sports.
“We know that all the competitions are important and if we can finish in the top four, everybody will be happy.
“After we will think about United, but the main thing for us is to progress in this competition.
“As a manager you have to think about both (matches), but the priority is this one.”
Despite claims by some Chelsea players that their fixture list is too demanding, Benitez believes that his squad have the stamina and ability to enjoy a successful end to the campaign:
“We know we have played a lot of games and still we want to play a lot of them until the end of the season,
“That is the way of a top side when you play in so many competitions – you have to manage your squad. We have a good group of players and we can choose one or another one.
“If we do it properly, I don’t think fatigue will be a problem.”
As well as competing both domestically and continentally this term, Chelsea have also taken part in the World Club Cup in Japan.
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