Jose Mourinho backs England to do well in Russia

By Matthew Treadwell

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says Premier League and Champions League experience will help England at the World Cup in Russia

Jose Mourinho believes England could do well at the World Cup as they have a youthful squad with experience of high-pressure tournaments.

England begin their Group G campaign against Tunisia on Monday with Gareth Southgate able to select from a squad that may be short on international caps but rich in Champions League know-how.

Four Manchester United players - Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford - are included and their club manager is confident England can impress in Russia.

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"They have a good group of young but experienced players," said Mourinho, a former PE teacher who was taken 'back to school' by Jaguar for a surprise World Cup Q&A and coaching session.

"All of them play in the most competitive competition in the world, the Premier League, all of them playing for the best teams with experience of playing in the Champions League, which is a high level of football, obviously.

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"Yes, I think they can do it."

Manchester United manager - and former PE teacher - Jose Mourinho went 'back to school' for a surprise World Cup Q & A

Germany, France, Spain and Brazil may be among the tournament favourites but Mourinho had some words of warning for them.

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"They have good squads but good squads don't always make good teams," he added.

Image: Jose Mourinho gives some advice to Marcus Rashford, one of four Manchester United players in England's World Cup squad

"Sometimes not such good squads, in theory, can make better teams…[but] I don't think the underdogs will make a big surprise.

"In the end, the top teams in South America and Europe are the ones that will be fighting for the title."

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