WATCH - Deadpan Jose Mourinho snaps back at Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after his disparaging snipe

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (left) and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte shared some feisty exchanges on the touchline last season

Kevin Palmer

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho didn't need to say too much as he offered his response to what were viewed as less than complimentary verbal jabs in his direction from Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.

The Chelsea boss was keen to highlight the danger of failure to his players in the season after a Premier League title triumph, as he warned they could fall off their perch as the kings of English football if they lose their focus in the upcoming season.

"Two years ago Chelsea finished 10th. That cannot happen again," stated Conte, as he reflected on Chelsea's demise after their 2015 title triumph, which led to Mourinho's sacking mid-way through the season.

"We know the difficulty and for sure we want to avoid the Mourinho season with Chelsea," added the Italian.

"The coaches of the previous two champions (Mourinho and Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri) both lost their jobs ([the next season) and we are working very well to find the best solutions and use them."

The point Italian Conte was trying to make may have been a little lost in translation, yet his reference to his predecessor Mourinho clearly didn't go down too well with the Portuguese tactician now in charge of Manchester United.

When asked to offer a comment on the statement from the Chelsea boss, a stony faced Mourinho made what some observers have suggested was a cheeky dig at the Italian who is reported to have undergone several hair transplants in recent years.

“I don’t know," he said. “I could answer in many different ways but I’m not willing to lose my hair to speak about Antonio Conte."

Mourinho also gave his view on an image being circulated on social media appearing to show transfer target Nemanja Matic in a Manchester United No.31 training shirt.

“I don’t know because I was not there. Number 31 is a free number. We have a few free and 31 is one of them," he said of the picture.

“I am waiting for news. I know that he wants that very, very much. When a player wants very, very much, the chance is bigger.

“I think we have a chance but in football until it’s official…I saw so many things happen that I refuse to say more than I am telling you now.”