One of the most awaited rivalries is set to commence this weekend as Arsene Wenger travels to the Old Trafford to take on his nemesis Jose Mourinho.
Both clubs have had different starts to the season but they will believe that they can achieve their goals for the season come the end of the campaign and a positive result in this game can go a long way in helping them.
Both manager has never laid back in taking a dig at the other before they face each other and Jose Mourinho wasted no time today as he straight away pointed out the amount of time that Wenger has gone without a title.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Arsenal game, Mourinho demanded that he should be respected as much as his compatriot Arsene Wenger is by the media and the fans.
He said, “Mr Wenger has that respect from all of you. I don’t think I have it. My last league title was 18 months ago, not 18 years ago. I want to win a ninth championship and a fourth Premier League.”
However, he downplayed any suggestion of a rivalry between the two and went on to say “It is not important. I don’t play against managers. It is my team against another team, some records are better than others. Tomorrow is an isolated event.”
He also went on to speak about how huge an event this game is and reminded everyone of the quality of the two managers clashing at Old Trafford.
He said, or me the only thing that matters is what you get globally as a team, our results, our cv. In the PL tomorrow is a match between the two managers with the best record in the Premier League. Between us we are speaking about 6-7 Premier League titles, I have 3 and Mr Wenger has 3 or 4.”
Mourinho also revealed some team news after making it clear that he is not mulling over the growing list of absentees. He revealed that Valencia and Rooney are doubtful for this game and ruled Bailly, Smalling and Fellaini out of this game.
He said, We have some injuries but I’m not crying about the players we have or don’t have. It’s a window of opportunity for others and others are ready for those opportunities.”
Wayne Rooney, the club skipper, has attracted unwanted interest on social media for posting pictures of him having some drinks. However, Mourinho downplayed any problems with the player and revealed that he is ready to play when fit.
Over the last 2-3 days nothing happened, he trained like everyone else and he wants to play like everyone else.”
“National teams are a different chapter, this is closed now until I think March or end of February,” he added.
The manager also reignited the Shaw and Smalling episode and went on about what he thinks about the duo.
He said that Luke Shaw is working hard and that he has not problem with him but failed to say the same about Smalling.
“I can comment on him [Shaw], yes, he has worked really well and is ready to play, I don’t have any problem with him. There are things he needs to learn but he is a player who has my confidence,” he said.
“On Smalling you cannot ask, you have your sources and you believe what they tell you. I don’t say a word about Chris Smalling, I won’t comment on your sources. I’m not interested on that, he added.
It is an interesting turn of events with both players starting the season in the good books of the manager.
So do you think Arsene Wenger has a reply to Mourinho’s dig? Keep following for more updates.