Arsene Wenger insists he will shake hands with Jose Mourinho when Arsenal travel to Manchester United: 'We have a normal relationship'

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Arsene Wenger promised to shake Jose Mourinho by the hand when the old foes meet again at Old Trafford and dismissed the theory that the Manchester United manager has a psychological hold over his team.

In the stormy series of duels between his Arsenal side and Mourinho teams, Wenger has been victorious on only one occasion, in the FA Community Shield in 2015.

The Frenchman has drawn six and lost eight against his arch enemy but Wenger said: 'We didn't always lose. We have beaten them. There were many draws. I have won against every manager in the world during 20 years. 

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho clashed on the touchline during a heated game in 2014

The two managers meet once again this weekend when Wenger takes his side to Old Trafford

At his pre-match press conference, Wenger insisted he would shake Mourinho's hand

'I don't have to describe our relationship. He will fight for his team and I will fight for mine.'

Asked if they would shake hands, he smiled and replied: 'I will respect the ritual so important in the Premier League.'

But Wenger went on: 'I do not make it a competition between two managers. It is between the two teams. It is Arsenal against Man United. We have won and lost games on both sides. You do not play against a manager, you play against a team and you analyse their strengths and weaknesses.

'What makes it for the audience is the quality of the game. We have seen some games this season not respond to the expectation level. 

The two managers had to be separated by the fourth official on the Stamford Bridge touchline

Wenger has famously never beaten Mourinho during their 11 Premier League meetings

'This game will be watched all over the world and what's important is that the quality of the game is good. That is down to the player on the pitch.'

Mourinho was criticised for his tactics earlier in the season when Manchester United travelled to Liverpool for a much-hyped Monday night clash which ended in a goalless draw.

This game was surely at the forefront of Wenger's mind when he spoke about entertainment for the television audience. 

The two have not always seen eye to eye but Wenger said their relationship is 'normal'

Wenger believes victory over Manchester United would strengthen his side's belief

His argument in the duel with Mourinho has always been about the quality of his team's football, while the Portuguese, who has won the Premier League three times since Arsenal's last title, never tires of wondering aloud how Wenger can manage without the pressure of delivering trophies.

This year, his team has the edge in terms of recent form and league position. Victory at Old Trafford in Saturday's early kick-off would lift Arsenal to the summit, if only briefly.

'A win would strengthen belief,' said Wenger. 'Some wins have been decisive for us at Old Trafford but this would only be a strengthening of our position in the league. 

Emmanuel Adebayor scored the last time Arsene Wenger won at Old Trafford, in 2006

Adebayor secured a 1-0 victory in the Premier League, but they've not won there since

'We are on a very strong run of 16 unbeaten games. There was a little hiccup against Tottenham at home. We had an opportunity to go top which we didn't take.

'They are not so far away. With three-pointers everything can change very quickly. We have played only 11 and of the big clubs there is no one definitely out [of the race].'

Arsenal clinched the title at Old Trafford in 2002 but have not won there in the Premier League since 2006 when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a late winner.

Last season, they were beaten 3-2 with the first two United goals scored by teenager Marcus Rashford who was making only his second senior appearance.

'He took everybody by surprise because nobody knew him,' said Wenger. 'It was a key game. We did not respond on the day, one of the few away games in the whole year when our performance not at the level.'