MOANDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Conte rap: FA have done Jose a favour
ANTONIO CONTE claims the FA have done Manchester United a massive favour by shifting their sixth-round showdown to tonight.
And the Chelsea boss is not buying Jose Mourinho’s claim that United are prioritising the Europa League over the FA Cup.
Conte expects to face United’s strongest available side at Stamford Bridge with a semi-final at Wembley the prize for the winner.
The Italian said: “We could play Sunday, or Saturday, if the federation decided it. But we are playing on Monday.
“The federation showed great respect for Manchester United to play the last day available. I think this.
“Will they rest players? No, I don’t think so. There are four days to recover, and this game is an important game for us and for them. I think their formation will be very good.”
Conte has no plans to keep his big names in reserve either, despite having rotated his team in the earlier rounds.
Decision
“I don’t see the necessity to rest people,” said Conte. “When you arrive at this level of the FA Cup, it’s a top competition for all.
“I want to make the best decision for the game against United. Also because, I repeat, United will do the same against us.”
Mourinho will be without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic as United aim to avenge their 4-0 Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge in October.
Even so, ‘The Special One’ says a place in the Champions League for the winner means the Europa League trumps the FA Cup.
Mourinho said: “Am I sadder to lose against Chelsea than against another team? No.
“Am I happier to win against Chelsea than another team? No.
“So, for me, it’s just a game that comes in the wrong moment for us, because the Europa League ® is a competition that can give us a Champions League spot and the FA Cup can’t.
“So, the Europa League is more important than the FA Cup for us.”
Barring a spectacular collapse, Chelsea are set to romp to the Premier League title race in Conte’s first season in charge.
But Mourinho says his full-time replacement at Chelsea has had an easier ride thanks to the lack of European football.
He said: “I know that he (Conte) said a couple of days ago or a couple of weeks ago that it’s not his fault that they are not in the European competitions, it’s my fault and the players’ fault.
“But the reality is, they have time to work, time to rest, time to relax, time to disconnect, time to travel, time to have holidays, time to go and enjoy America for a couple of days.
“They have time for all of these things so they are in a position of privilege, the same privilege that Liverpool had a couple of years ago and they almost won the Premier League.
“I don’t want to say that they don’t deserve credit for it. They choose a certain style of play that I think is very adapted to the qualities of these players.
“They are doing very, very well and that is why they are going to be champions easily.
“I am not asking for any credit. I am focused on Manchester United.”