Jose Mourinho plays down return to Chelsea with Manchester United: 'It isn't a big thing... in four years, people probably won't remember I was boss'

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Jose Mourinho has insisted his return trips to Chelsea will soon become an irrelevance.

The Manchester United manager is back at Stamford Bridge this weekend and claimed their preparations would not be damaged by his appearance in a Madrid court on Friday.

Mourinho received a mixed reception by Chelsea supporters last year but doesn't think his presence will overshadow what could prove a pivotal afternoon for United.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has played down his return to Chelsea on Sunday 

Mourinho won three Premier League titles during two different spells at the west London club

'I have to admit it is a little bit different but in the end I want to win like I did with Inter,' Mourinho said.

'They want to win like they did last season and it is just one more day and in a couple of years it will be even more natural.

'In four or five years, people probably won't remember I was Chelsea manager.

'It's a big match but not because of that. It's because they are champions and we are United.

'It isn't a big thing. It is normal. It is football life. One day you are in one club, the next day you are in another club. 

'It is a big thing because it is a big match and the opponent is the champion. It is one of these matches between the top teams in the country but by the emotional point of view it is just a game.'

He claimed preparations would not be damaged by his appearance in Madrid court on Friday

Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge last season saw his United side suffer 4-0 thrashing

Mourinho — who hopes to soon have some of his injured stars back available — also suggested he isn't afforded the praise he deserves.

The Portuguese pointed towards Tottenham's free-scoring season and queried why United's clean sheet was overlooked last week.

'Similar performances for some clubs are magic, are examples of brilliant tactics and amazing attitude from the other players,' Mourinho added.

Mourinho pictured on Stamford Bridge touchline during his spell with Italian side Inter Milan

When Mourinho returned to his old stomping ground last term, he was greeted by John Terry 

'For other teams the same kind of performances become conservative, become negative, become so many adjectives. 

'As an example, Tottenham beat Liverpool 4-1, Tottenham beat Real 3-1, Tottenham didn't score against Man United so at least a little bit of credit my players deserve.'

After facing the Premier League holders, United host Newcastle before travelling to Switzerland to face Basle in the Champions League.  

He hinted the next couple of days will be important in assessing the fitness of his injured stars