Jose Mourinho accused Manchester City’s players of a shortage of education and class after breaking his silence on the Old Trafford tunnel bust-up.

The Man United boss claimed Pep Guardiola’s Blues showed a lack of respect with their celebrations in the away dressing-room following Sunday’s 2-1 win in the first vs second clash that gives them an 11-point lead at the top of the table.

Mourinho said Red Devils would not behave in the same way in that situation and claimed their respectful post-match celebrations following a 3-1 win at Arsenal the previous weekend proved his point.

The City players gave it plenty in front of the away section at full time... (
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AFP/Getty)
...revelling in winning at their arch rivals and nearest challengers... (
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Getty)
...and the party continued when they got back to the visitors' changing room (
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Twitter/@Notamendi30)

He was 16 minutes late for his Tuesday press conference, clearly having waited to see what Guardiola — holding his media briefing at the same time — had said about the fracas.

But the Portuguese, who was accused of sparking the fracas by remonstrating with City at the door to the away dressing-room, said he had no time for his opposite number’s take on the episode.

“He says, he says,” said Mourinho. “I’m not here to comment on his words.

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“The only thing I can say is that, for me, it was just a question of diversity.

“Diversity in behaviour, diversity in education. Just that. And nothing more than that. The diversity of behaviour, of opinion, of education.

“What we did in the Arsenal stadium, you know? It was completely diverse. What we did, what happened after that match, the way we behaved as winners.”

Anthony Martial has a consoling word for Alexandre Lacazette after United beat Arsenal... (
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Reuters)
...clear respect between Man of the Match keeper David de Gea and Hector Bellerin (
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AFP/Getty)

Mourinho, 54, whose appearance ahead of Wednesday’s home game with Bournemouth lasted less than seven minutes, was prickly and tetchy when pushed for his version of the post-match fracas.

The FA have launched an investigation into Sunday’s bust-up, with both clubs having until the close of business on Wednesday to submit their written observations to the governing body.

Mourinho was dismissive at the prospect of anyone at United being punished by the FA in the wake of Sunday’s controversy that overshadowed the top-of-the-table clash.

“Punish who? Why?” said Mourinho, fixing the questioner, before pointedly adding: “I think you work for another club and not for the press.”

Asked if he wanted to defend Lukaku, Mourinho said: “No. Accuse? Prove? Show evidence and punish him.”

Mourinho and Lukaku are understood to have been in the thick of Sunday's melee (
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AFP/Getty)

And the United boss was unequivocal when asked if he was confident he and his players did nothing wrong in the tunnel melee.

“I know,” said Mourinho. “I’m not 'confident', I know.”

Then Mourinho was up on his feet and almost out of the door before turning to offer a parting shot that was disingenuous even by his machiavellian standards.

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“Bye-bye,” said Mourinho, before stopping and adding: “You don’t like Bournemouth? You don’t respect them? You don’t think they are a team capable of coming to Old Trafford and doing well? No respect for Eddie Howe? No respect for the players?”

For a manager whose actions throughout his career have been underlined by a constant theme of disrespect and contempt, it was a brazen attempt to twist the narrative to suit his agenda.