United critics are jealous, says former defender Pallister

Manchester United defender Gary Pallister has hit out at the Red Devils’ rivals’ ‘jealousy’, despite Jose Mourinho’s side missing out on the Champions League places.

Despite ending the Premier League season in sixth, Mourinho’s men finished the season with three extra pieces of silverware after scooping the Community Shield, the EFL Cup and the Europa League in a fruitful campaign.

The latter ensured United qualified for Europe’s top competition despite their league position, which was their second-lowest in Premier League history.

And Pallister believes critics are envious of United’ achievements, and have been largely silenced after they defeated Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League final to cement a place at Europe’s top table.

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

“The win over Ajax stopped a lot of these doubters out there who were saying it was a poor season because United finished sixth,” said Pallister, who chalked up 317 league appearances in a nine-year spell at Old Trafford.

“Okay, we didn’t qualify for the Champions League through our Premier League position.

“But we qualified by winning a European trophy and we also won the League Cup, not to mention the Community Shield.

“All in all, quite a few teams will be jealous of Manchester United’s season.

“That was a massive plus from the season.”