Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has taunted Chelsea's Antonio Conte ahead of the two teams' FA Cup clash on Monday night, saying the Italian has had an easy ride.
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The Blues mentor upset his counterpart by openly celebrating his side's 4-0 victory when the two sides met last time around.
Mourinho, who will once again meet his former club, has now insisted that Conte has had an easier time of things than other managers this season because Chelsea do not have to worry about European football.
"So they're in a position of privilege, the same privilege that Liverpool had a couple of years ago when they almost won the Premier League," the Portuguese said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror.
"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 defend a lot and well, and they counter-attack and kill opponents on the counter-attack, similar to my Chelsea.
"The difference is they play with five at the back and I played four at the back, but it's the same criteria – a very strong team to defend and a team that kills on the counter-attack."
Mourinho also tried to play down the importance of the cup clash, saying success in the Europa League would be of much more value to him.
"I'm focused on United and I know the work I did there," he added.
"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.
"The FA Cup isn't, so the Europa League is more important for us."
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The suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic will definitely miss the clash for United, while Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford reportedly also did not travel with the squad.
Do you think United stand a chance against Chelsea tonight, despite missing four of their key forwards? Have your say in the comments section below.
