Old foe talks of respect

MANCHESTER United boss Jose Mourinho says his respect for long-time rival Arsene Wenger means the pair can be friends in future.

Wenger last week announced he would be leaving Arsenal after 22 years and takes the Gunners to Old Trafford for the final time on Monday. He and Mourinho (pictured) have had a tempestuous rivalry through the Portuguese’s two spells at Chelsea and now at Man U.

Mourinho told Sky Sports News: “If he respects me even 50 per cent of what I respect him we can even be friends in the future. I have lots of respect for him.

“But the reality is that he was at Arsenal, he was the champion and I came to the country in 2004 and wanted to steal his title. That’s football. “But in the end I respect him.”

Wenger said yesterday the “timing was not really my decision” as the Frenchman prepares to leave the Emirates Stadium.