Jess Thorup admits that it remains an outside shot for his side to progress despite them holding a 2-1 aggregate lead
FC Midtjylland boss Jess Thorup says it will be a miracle if his side knock Manchester United out of the Europa League, however ‘horny’ Louis van Gaal’s players might be.
The Dutchman revealed on Wednesday that he asks his side to be “hungry, and a lot of times I use the word ‘horny’” when speaking of the need to match the desire shown by the Danes in their 2-1 first-leg win last week.
But Thorup has admitted that it would still take a lot for his club to progress, agreeing with sporting director Claus Steinlein’s assertion that it remains a “miracle” scenario for Midtjylland to overcome United.
“I just heard that two minutes ago in the car outside the stadium and we were laughing about the world horny,” Thorup told a press conference of Van Gaal’s earlier comments.
“Of course our team must be ready for the occasion. The players must see this as a regular game. Some of the guys might be Manchester United fans but tomorrow they are playing for FC Midtjylland and they won't underestimate that.
“I don’t know what the word ‘miracle’ is but in football a club like FC Midtjylland, 17 years old and achieving what it has achieved this year, now plays Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world. Yes, it would be a miracle.”
Thorup believes it was a sense of achievement in itself that Van Gaal imitated a move learned from watching Midtjylland on the way to United’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town on Monday.
Juan Mata’s goal from a free-kick involved a trio of players standing in front of the goalkeeper’s eyeline, and the Dutchman admitted afterwards it was something he had picked up from Thorup’s side.
“I saw the game, and I saw the goal and the things he said afterwards,” said the 46-year-old. “If he can be inspired by something FC Midtjylland can do that is a great honour.”
The second leg of the round of 32 fixture kicks off at Old Trafford on Thursday at 20:05 GMT, with United needing a 1-0 victory or better to advance to the last 16.
- Goal