Jose Mourinho After West Ham Draw: 'We Don't Celebrate 2nd Position'

Manchester United wrapped up second place in the Premier League with a 0-0 draw against West Ham United on Thursday, but manager Jose Mourinho said after the match it was not something to celebrate. 

The Portuguese did, though, concede to being "happy" as United finished best of the rest to runaway title winners Manchester City, per BBC Sport's Steve Sutcliffe:

"I am not jumping around—that's not my nature or my history. Manchester United are the same. The top four is obviously important, but it's better to finish second than fourth, and it's better to be second for months and months and months than losing that position and that control.

"We don't celebrate second position, but we are happy because for a few months, we realised it was impossible to win the league and, of course, the target is the second position."

With one game of the 2017-18 Premier League campaign remaining, United have at least eight more points than in any other season since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

A win over Watford at Old Trafford on Sunday would see them pass the 80-point mark for the first time since they last won the league, in 2012-13, and would see their tally improved by 12 points on last term, per Sky Sports Statto:

By every significant metric, the 2017-18 season has been United's best since Ferguson retired.

As well as having more points, they have also scored more league goals (67) than in any of the previous four seasons and look set to end the term with their best defensive record since 2009-10. 

However, the best-case scenario for United is that they finish 16 points behind Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues, and it will more likely be 19, as City will surely beat Southampton on the final day of the season.

There are mitigating circumstances, as United's Manchester neighbours have broken records this season, including most goals and points accrued in a Premier League campaign.

Two seasons ago, Leicester City won the title with 81 points, the same tally United look set to finish on in 2017-18.

That will offer Mourinho and his side little comfort, though. They have a huge gulf to make up on City if they are to launch a genuine title challenge next season.