Mourinho defended Lukaku (Picture: AFP/Getty)
Mourinho defended Lukaku (Picture: AFP/Getty)

Jose Mourinho demanded that media provide proof of Romelu Lukaku’s involvement in the Manchester derby brawl and formally charge him before slinging accusations about the Belgium international.

The Portuguese tactician was in a furious mood when faced with questions about the clash between Manchester United and Manchester City players after their meeting at Old Trafford on Sunday and he was enraged at questions about his star striker.

Lukaku was said to be at the centre of the fracas – which Mourinho supposedly started by charging into Manchester City’s dressing room – and the 24-year-old was even accused of throwing a bottle that cut open Mikel Arteta’s head.

However, Mourinho refuted any claim that the Belgian was at fault, and demanded evidence.

When asked if he wanted to defend Lukaku, he replied: ‘No.

‘Accuse? Prove? Show evidence and punish him.’

Mourinho then went further and absolved all of his players of any responsibility for the melee.

When asked if he was confident that they had done nothing wrong, he snapped: ‘I know.

‘I’m not “confident”, I know.’