COLD TRAFFORD
SHOWDOWN AT OLD TRAFFORD Jose vows to keep his cool
JOSE MOURINHO says he will feel no emotion when he faces his former club Chelsea at Old Trafford tomorrow. The Manchester United boss had angry words with Blues counterpart Antonio Conte after United’s embarrassing 4-0 Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge in October, when he told the Italian to curb his touchline celebrations. And he was stung when Chelsea fans who used to worship him chanted ‘Judas’ during United’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat last month. But the United boss insists he will keep his cool and focus solely on securing a vital win for United’s top-four hopes. “You say that word emotion,” said Mourinho. “For me, it is just a game. One more game. No difference at all.” If United fail to win Mourinho will have the unwanted record of the club’s lowest ® tally of home wins in a season since the Premier League started in 1992. They have won only six out of 16 games at Old Trafford so far and a draw or defeat to the leaders means that even if they win their final two home fixtures – against Swansea and Crystal Palace – they will finish with eight victories.
That’s one fewer than in 2013-14 when they had nine – David Moyes claiming seven wins from 15 games before he was sacked and caretaker boss Ryan Giggs winning two of the final three.
Asked about Chelsea’s qualities, Mourinho suggested a key factor in their championship charge has been the physical freshness of Conte’s squad, as they have not played European football this season.
Chelsea have played 38 games in all competitions compared to United’s 52 and Mourinho said: “First of all, some guys are fresh, some guys are tired.
“That’s very important but it’s not just because they are fresh. It’s also because they have individual and collective quality.
“They have a certain style of play, they stick to it and do it very well. Not every team defends with 11 players and they do. They are a very strong team.”
Stinging
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw can see light at the end of the tunnel after showdown talks with his boss.
Despite Mourinho’s recent stinging public criticism, the £28m defender is determined to prove he can be United’s long-term left-back.
“I had a good chat with him after those words came out,” said Shaw, who is set to be recalled.
“I will do whatever he wants. I have always been a hard worker but maybe I wasn’t doing as hard as he likes. We discussed what he wanted from me and I said, ‘I am going to prove you wrong’.” ¬ UNITED midfielder Juan Mata will miss the rest of the season following groin surgery.