Jump directly to the content
‘seven at the back‘

Jose Mourinho takes aim at rival Antonio Conte – accusing Chelsea boss of playing defensive football with ‘seven at the back‘

JOSE MOURINHO claims Antonio Conte won the title playing “defensive football”.

And the Manchester United boss says he would not resort to Chelsea’s ways just to be crowned champions.

 Jose Mourinho has had a dig at Antonio Conte and Chelsea
6
Jose Mourinho has had a dig at Antonio Conte and ChelseaCredit: Getty
 Jose Mourinho has started a spat with Antonio Conte over his style of play
6
Jose Mourinho has started a spat with Antonio Conte over his style of playCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The table-topping Red Devils boss said: “We know that if you look in a pragmatic way, you see the last winners of the Premier League, they did not play attacking football.

“They played defensive football and counter-attack football.

“So according to the results, that is the way to win the  Premier League.

“We try to play positive, we try to play good but we try to win.”

Mourinho won three titles with the Blues and there is no love lost between him and 48-year-old Conte following the pair’s touchline clash at Stamford Bridge last season.

The Special One is clearly irritated that some people still label him as a defensive coach, while Conte won acclaim last season.

 Antonio Conte was in bullish mood in his presser ahead of Chelsea's away clash at Leicester
6
Antonio Conte was in bullish mood in his presser ahead of Chelsea's away clash at LeicesterCredit: Reuters
 Jose Mourinho might have upset the Italian with his jibe
6
Jose Mourinho might have upset the Italian with his jibeCredit: PA:Press Association

Conte played in a 3-4-3 formation to win the Premier League in his first season in England.

But Mourinho, 54, believes that can equally translate into seven at the back, with wing-backs and two defensive midfielders.

Speaking ahead of this evening’s trip to Stoke, the United gaffer said: “If you ask me, are we going to go there and play with seven at the back, like some teams do, five plus two positional midfield players? No.

“We’re going to try and play well and score goals.

“But if our opponent is better than us and dominant, we are humble enough to transform our way of playing to play for a result.

⚽ Premier League first goalscorer special ⚽

FANCY a bet on the first goalscorer in any of the Premier League matches this weekend?

Well look no further than Sun Bets, who guarantee best price on all first goalscorers in the top flight.

Whether it's Romelu Lukaku who floats your boat against Stoke, or Harry Kane to get unstuck when Spurs face the Toffees, they'll be top price.

And the best bit?

You can use Sun Bets' 'Bet £5, Get a Free £10 Bet' offer at the same time!

What's not to like?

SUN BETS BEST PRICE ON ALL PREMIER LEAGUE FIRST GOALSCORERS

*Ts and Cs apply

 Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho have crossed swords before
6
Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho have crossed swords beforeCredit: Rex Features

“If one day to win we have to play defensive football, we will.

“And if we go to Stoke and Stoke put us under pressure and are dominant, we have to be humble and pragmatic and we have to face the reality.”

United have not won at the bet365 Stadium in the last five seasons.

But they have won all three games so far and scored ten goals without conceding.

Mourinho added: “In the last years, we were not strong enough.

“In my personal case last  season, we didn’t win because we were not good enough.

“The players are strong, united, the atmosphere is very good, very positive.”

 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has lashed out at Antonio Conte
6
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has lashed out at Antonio ConteCredit: PA:Press Association

Potters boss Mark Hughes has predicted £90million man Romelu Lukaku will break the Red  Devils’ all-time scoring record. Wayne Rooney leads the way with 253 goals after surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton last season.

United legend Sparky, who netted 163 times for them, said: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him — or maybe I do!

“Romelu’s in a top team and has outstanding players around him who will create more chances for him than in the past.

“Logically, you’d say he’ll go close if he gets a good run and steers clear of major injuries.”

Lukaku, 24, has three goals in three games already this season.

Hughes, 53, added: “He’s the real deal. He’s ready to go.

“I tried to get him at QPR when I was manager but he ended up going to West Brom on loan from Chelsea.

“I didn’t pitch it too well! Probably because I didn’t say he’d play week in week out.”

The summer transfer window was one the craziest we have ever seen.

Take a look at the most profitable transfers of ALL time.

And here are the Premier League players whose wages made them the most expensive per minute played.

Topics