STAN COLLYMORE Magic man Jose pulls rabbit out of a Red hat

Follow us on Twitter: @peoplesport ANTONIO CONTE won’t mug off Jose Mourinho again.

At least not to the same extent that he did in October when the Special One limped away from Stamford Bridge with his ego bruised, following a four-goal bashing. Why? Manchester United are no longer hostages to fortune.

They know what the manager wants. And they can deliver it. The reason why I give Chelsea the edge tomorrow is because Zlatan Ibrahimovic is missing.

It is a shame for the FA Cup that the Swede will be absent in south-west London, it’s a stage tailor-made for him.

A major occasion, under the lights, TV audience of millions. Two tribes going head-to-head. That is not to be – and that’s the reason why I think Mourinho (above) will stop short of giving Conte a bloody nose. Look at what the Portuguese has done this season.

He has brought gradual improvement, while nodding in the direction of United’s heritage.

Swagger

Now they are becoming a mirror of their manager.

They are far more difficult to beat. They are putting in the hard yards.

And there is no philosophy for them to be dragged down by, like there is with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City or Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

Of course, the fans want fantasy football at Old Trafford. They expect their teams to play with a style and a swagger. But they are not blindsided by a philosophy that must be followed at all costs.

Mourinho is far smarter than that.

Given half a chance, he’s slyly mentioned that United are playing more attractive football, while realising, if he is to mirror what went on in the past, he needs a solid base.

And gradually the winning feeling is returning.

By winning ng the League Cup, he has at least guaranteedd a pot on the sideboard.

I very much get the f eeling t hat t he Europa League is getting Jose’s’s full attenntion too – not j ust because it will be another trophy, but also because it gives him entry into the Champions League. It’s not i deally how Manchester United’s decision-makers would have wanted it. But, in qualifying, he would have surpassed Louis van Gaal’s achievements and returned the club to a place where it feels it belongs. However, what would it mean to Conte to reach the FA Cup lastla four? With the p prospective semi-fin semi-finalists all coming fro from the Premier Leag League’s top six, Chelsea w would not have ana easy pass passage tow towards etc etching the clu club’s na name in hi history by landing a double. But, given the lead they have in the title race, by the time the semifinals are played, the Blues’ boss (left) will not be rotating his squad.

He won’t have any worries about reaching the top four.

Pressure

He won’t have any issues about Champions League football, like Manchester City may have.

And he won’t be playing under the kind of pressure Arsene Wenger will have for the rest of this season.

Manchester United represent a major hurdle.

But Chelsea’s players need fear no one this season.

And, with Zlatan kicking his heels, that should give Conte’s boys the confidence to take a giant step towards a piece of history.