Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has hailed the change in schedule for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to the summer months, as ‘fantastic’ news for European clubs.
Speaking to KweséESPN after Wednesday night’s 1-0 International Champions Cup defeat to Barcelona, he said: “If that’s the change then it’s fantastic for us.
“Obviously because it’s hard in the middle of the season to lose players like we do, and with so many African players playing in the best competitions in Europe it’s not good for the clubs, it’s not good for the competitions and it’s not good for the players.
“So if you can do that and you manage to do the Africa Cup in the European break. It’s fantastic for us.”
Mourinho was without defender Eric Bailly, during a key period of last season, when he represented Ivory Coast at the AFCON in Gabon.