Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho has insisted that Monday’s Premier League clash involving his side and Merseyside giants Liverpool will have no bearing on United’s season outcome come May next year.
After three wins from three league games in August, United endured a rough patch with just four points from their next four league games -a slump in form that has seen Mourinho’s men go down the Premier League table to sixth, three points behind Liverpool and five adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Defeat at Liverpool would leave United with ground to make up after just eight games of the season, but he Portuguese manager in an interview on Sky Sports says success does not hinge on the results between the derby rivals.
“The season is not about the Anfield match and the Old Trafford match in January; the season is about many points to win, points to lose and targets to achieve,” a stony-faced Mourinho told the media during a short, tense press conference at Old Trafford.
“I always like to play at Anfield. I’ve won big matches and lost big matches there, so I cannot say I like to go there as I am always successful as this is not true.
“I like the atmosphere and the characteristics of the matches. It is a big match that can be comparable to Inter v Milan and Real v Barcelona, maybe Porto v Benfica – this I like.” The United boss stated.
Monday’s game will be Mourinho’s first taste of one of the most storied rivalries in world football as England’s two most successful teams go head to head and the Portuguese is looking forward to experiencing it.
Both clubs issued a joint statement earlier this week urging supporters to refrain from “offensive and discriminatory behaviour” on Monday and Mourinho echoed that sentiment.
