Jose Mourinho insists he won’t be fuelled by revenge when Manchester United face Chelsea on Sunday because he regards the crucial clash against his old club as just another game.
Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea last season, could be forgiven for doing everything in his power to beat Antonio Conte’s side after suffering two chastening defeats at the hands of the Premier League leaders earlier this season.
The 54-year-old tactician was humiliated on his return to Stamford Bridge in October and took umbrage with Conte’s touchline celebrations as Chelsea cruised to a 4-0 win.
Mourinho fared no better when he went back to the Bridge in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March as Chelsea won 1-0 after United midfielder Ander Herrera was sent off.
But Mourinho is trying his best to take the emotion out of the showdown, insisting tomorrow’s match is like any other.
“You say that word ‘emotion’,” he said when asked how his emotions differ from the previous meetings.
“For me, it is just a game. One more game. No difference for me.”
Asked if there was nothing special about the game, Mourinho: “No, not at all.”
With fifth-placed United desperately needing a victory tomorrow in the battle for Champions League qualification and Chelsea, seven points clear at the top, looking to move a step closer to the title in Conte’s first season, the stage is set for a classic encounter.
United have gone on a 21-match unbeaten league run since losing to Chelsea in October, but a lack of cutting edge has damaged their bid to finish in the top four.
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