Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes his side’s 1-0 victory over Zorya Luhansk was crucial as United looks to qualify for the knock-out round of the Europa League. 

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed in a 69th-minute winner as the Red Devils secured their first victory in the Europa League on Thursday.

Mourinho says Zorya were very well organised and were difficult to play against but the Portuguese insist that this was an important victory for the club’s hopes of progressing to the next round.

‘Yeah, it was difficult. We had our chances in the first half, we could obviously score and have a different match, but we didn’t. All the time, they [Zorya] stayed very well organised with lots of people behind the ball,’ Mourinho told the Manchester United website.

‘The danger was hidden but they were always ready to do something on the counter-attack. The game was difficult but it was important to win.’

The 53-year-old continued to say that his side has to stay grounded after three consecutive victories and start focusing on the match ahead.

‘One week – three defeats, another week – three victories. I was not depressed by the three defeats and I’m not over the moon after three victories. We have another game on Sunday [against Stoke] and that’s now the most important one,’ he added.

Manchester United against Stoke City kicks off at 13:00.