After tunnel skirmish, United and City managers on defensive

Two days after the Manchester derby skirmish in the tight Old Trafford tunnel, the managers of United and City went on the defensive.

A tentative Mourinho was far less assertive than he was reported to be in the heat of Sunday's incident that further inflamed the rivalry between the English Premier League's top two.

Mourinho, renowned for his spats, histrionics, and animated touchline antics, was incensed by City's raucous celebrations after winning on United territory.

After initially refusing to discuss the 2-1 loss and trying to force reporters to ask about Wednesday's game against Bournemouth, Mourinho couldn't resist speaking out at United's Carrington complex.

"The only thing I can say is that for me it was just a question of diversity," Mourinho said, "diversity in behaviors, diversity in education. Just that and nothing more than that."

Certainly nothing more once a United communications official blocked further questions on the confrontation that saw milk and water thrown at Mourinho and is now being investigated by the Football Association.

Across Manchester, Guardiola sought to diffuse the row.

"If we were not correct, or something like that," Guardiola said, "then I apologize to all of Manchester United. Our intentions were not that. Our intentions were to celebrate, inside the locker room, our happiness because we were happy. If the people cannot understand that then I'm sorry.

"We were so happy, we won a derby. If in that way we offended United — not just one player, not (just) Jose — then I apologize. We have huge respect for our opponent. Not just Manchester United, all the opponents."