CITY WINNING THE TITLE AGAINST UNITED TODAY? NOT THE END OF THE WORLD

Jose’s message to worried Reds fans

JOSE MOURINHO has told Manchester United fans it will not be “the end of the world” if derby rivals City clinch the title against them today.

Pep Guardiola’s side can win the Premier League with victory, but the Old Trafford boss wants Reds fans to have a sense of perspective if their worst-case scenario happens.

Mourinho said: “I won the title at Chelsea against United.

“We beat United 3-0 and we won the title at Stamford Bridge in 2005-06.

“But it was not the end of the world, Manchester United didn’t finish. It was just football.

“The only thing I can say is that we want to win, we don’t want to offer them the game. We want to go there, we want to compete and win the match if possible.”

United are on course for a points total in the mid-80s, enough to clinch top spot on 10 previous occasions. But Mourinho acknowledged that City have raised the bar this season, dropping just nine points and setting a formidable new standard.

He said: “In our case I think we have eight points more than last season, more goals scored, less goals conceded. But City made it impossible for the others.

“So congratulations for the

Another team had a few more points because some referee mistakes gave them more points

great Premier League season they are doing.

“And the moment they become champions, which will be sooner rather than later, I will react the same way other people reacted when I won three titles in this country.”

Mourinho admitted the 16-point gap between the clubs was a true reflection of the current gulf.

And he did not try to hide the fact United face a huge task in trying to bridge it next term. “The table is always a fair reflection of the season,” said the Portuguese.

“We have the points we have because we lost here and here and there – and they have the points they have because they won here and here and there.

“Sometimes you have one team that was unlucky with injuries.

“Another team who was lucky because they had no injuries, no suspensions.

“Another one had a few more points because some referee mistakes gave them a few more points.

“But every team in the course of the season had some injuries, has someone suspended, had referees’ mistakes that helped or punished you.

“What matters is the reality of the points. City will be champions because they deserve to be champions.”