Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has been cooking up some tension ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with his former club, Chelsea.
Mourinho left WestLondon last season after a dismal 2014/15 title defence after which he left the Blues in 16th place, but has since taken up office in Manchester. His side travel to Chelsea after blocking out Liverpool for a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Jose Mourinho is relaxed ahead of his return to Chelsea with #MUFC: https://t.co/fSti826GbJ pic.twitter.com/8ijwCqDSoW
Now, he has revealed some intriguing details about his very much business-basedrelationship with owner Roman Abramovich at Chelsea. The two won three Premier League titles together.
He was never my friend,� said Mourinho to theMirror.We always had the relationship of owner-manager, a very respectful relationship."
We were never friends. We were never close to each other. So, no. He's just a person that I keep very respected.�
Mourinho was the most successful manager in Chelsea's history, so the relationship cannot have been too fractious. The Portuguese is expected to have a warm reception on his Stamford Bridge return.
Old Trafford and Sir Alex Ferguson applaud Robin Van Persie's goal vs Manchester United � pic.twitter.com/AfBaEVi3ii
The Sunday meeting between the sides is a key fixture in the weekend's action, with Manchester United seventh on fourteen points and Chelsea two places above them. A third loss at this stage in United's season could inflict damage to their title challenge, and the same is true for their hosts.
If they were to win and see other results go their way, Chelsea could go level with the league leaders. United are still plotting a route into the top four in the season's early days, and a 4-1 victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday has them in the right direction.