Conte: I didn’t do anything to humiliate Mourinho

JOSE MOURINHO accused Antonio Conte of disrespect in a heated touchline rant as the “Special One” suffered a humiliating return to Chelsea. And the bad blood from Manchester United’s 4-0 loss spilled over into the tunnel after the final whistle as a member of Mourinho’s staff snubbed a handshake from Conte.

On his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked last December, the Old Trafford boss watched his side slump to a heavy defeat in front of the fans who used to adore him.

Mourinho could not keep a lid on his disappointment just moments after the end, approaching opposite number Conte and having what looked like an angry word in the Italian’s ear.

It is understood Mourinho spoke to Conte in Italian, accusing him of humiliating United by trying to whip up the home support moments after N’Golo Kante scored Chelsea’s fourth goal. Italian TV reported that Mourinho had said: “You do it at 1-0, not 4-0.”

Both managers insisted they wanted to keep the details of the spat private, but refused to deny that Mourinho was angered by Conte’s touchline enthusiasm. And the Chelsea manager insisted he did not regret his antics, despite irking his predecessor.

“I was a player. I know what the feeling is like (to score). I only told the fans to applaud the team because the team deserved it,” said Conte.

“There has always been respect for all, and naturally for Manchester United. Nothing happened. I did something absolutely normal. I didn’t do anything to humiliate Mourinho.

“I think that, today, it was right to call our fans. In that moment I was listening only to the supporters of Manchester United at 4-0. So I called the fans to give the players a great clap after this kind of performance.

“The players, after a 4-0 win, deserved a great clap. It’s very normal. We live with emotions. If you want to cut the emotions, we can stay at home and I will change jobs.”

Tensions between the two teams were clear to see in the tunnel when members of staff were embroiled in further verbal disputes.

Mourinho, who fears Eric Bailly is set for a lengthy lay-off after limping off with a knee injury, says his team were made to pay for their errors. “I’m not unhappy with the performances, but with the mistakes,” said Mourinho.

“Defensive mistakes are very important. When my teams have perfection in their defensive performances, you say that is not important. But the reality is that it is important. We made an incredible defensive mistake in the first minute and then the game is different. “We put ourselves in a situation where we gave them the game they wanted.”

Former United full-backs Gary and Phil Neville slammed the club’s “garbage” defending on Sunday.

They also ripped into United’s high-priced midfield, which included £89 million signing Paul Pogba, after N’Golo Kante was able to waltz through them for Chelsea’s fourth goal.

“For the fourth goal, (Ander) Herrera and Paul Pogba there, I think it’s absolutely scandalous,” Phil Neville was quoted as saying.

Gary, now a Sky Sports pundit, said: “They are like mannequins in those red shirts. He (Kante) has walked through £130 million of midfield. It’s absolutely garbage defending.” – Daily Mail and Reuters