Mourinho admits Man United aren't yet at the level of Europe's elite

Jose Mourinho admitted Manchester United are not yet in the same realm as Europe's elite on the eve of their Champions League return.

United host Basle on Tuesday night after a year away but Mourinho was quick to temper expectations.

Real Madrid have won three of the last four titles, with Barcelona clinching the other in 2015. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain frequently arrive at the latter stages.

'In the Champions League there are four or five teams with an incredible level of quality, of experience and know-how. That's what makes the difference,' he said.

'Other than that there are many teams that are very similar to the Europa League. We have to try and qualify for the last 16 and enjoy that special knockout phase with the best teams in Europe.

'Low expectations are not thinking we can win tomorrow, and I think we can. Being humble is to admit that the opponent has the same motivation that we have.

'The opponent came come here and give United a bad taste, as they have in the past. We go to the matches thinking we can win.

'To say at the moment that we are candidates of this or that... we're just candidates for tomorrow.'

Mourinho also reiterated the difficulties presented to English teams in Europe given the intense Premier League schedule.

'There is nothing to do,' he added. 'It's a waste of time speaking about what we can do because we can't do it. We have to admit that there are differences in relation to other countries. That's just the way it is.'

But he is happy to be returning to Europe's premier competition.

'I enjoyed the Europa League, I respect the Europa League' he said. 'It was not just about winning to qualify for the Champions League but giving credibility to the Europa League.

'To be back in the Champions League is just to go back to the natural habitat for Manchester United, season after season. For some it’s the motivation of playing Champions League for the first time. I look forward to the match tomorrow and hope OT feels it in the same way we feel it.'

The Portuguese also commented on Crystal Palace's decision to axe manager Frank de Boer on Monday, admitting nothing surprises him in football anymore.

'That’s the world where we are, that’s the world where many of you enjoy,' he explained. 'And you also contribute for the kind of pressure that managers are involved in.

'But in football nothing surprises me. I was sacked as a champion, FDB is sacked after 4 matches and next season something incredible will happen again.