Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists there is no grudge between him and old rival Rafa Benitez ahead of facing Newcastle United
- Jose Mourinho insists there is no bad blood between him and Rafa Benitez
- They were rivals in Mourinho’s first Chelsea spell when Benitez was at Liverpool
- Benitez's Newcastle visit Mourinho's Manchester United on Saturday evening
Jose Mourinho insists there is no bad blood between him and Rafa Benitez as he prepares to face the Newcastle manager at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The two coaches had a fierce rivalry during Mourinho’s first spell at Chelsea when Benitez was in charge of Liverpool. The Spaniard also followed Mourinho into Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea.
As they prepare to renew battle at Old Trafford, the Manchester United boss insists that he doesn’t harbour a grudge. He offered respect to Benitez who, like Mourinho, is one of few coaches to have won both the Champions League and Europa League.
Jose Mourinho insists there is no bad blood between him and Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez
Benitez followed Mourinho into the manager's jobs at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea
The two had a rivalry during Mourinho’s first spell at Chelsea when Benitez managed Liverpool
‘I don’t play Rafa, I play Newcastle. That’s the point,’ said Mourinho. ‘I’m really good at forgetting little things in football, bad words or moments of conflict. I’m really good at forgetting that.
‘The important thing is respect for the professional and person – I respect him in both ways. He is with me in one privileged list of few managers in Europe to have won the Champions League and Europa League, so we are side to side in that little group.
‘I have immense respect for him. I will be more than happy to see him and salute him and play one more match. It is just one more match.’
As they prepare to renew battle, Mourinho insists that he doesn’t harbour a grudge
If United avoid defeat, they will equal the club record of 38 games unbeaten at home in all competitions, but Mourinho is more concerned about winning the game after two defeats in their last three Premier League fixtures.
‘We don't play for records,’ he added. ‘If you concede a goal but we score two at least, I'm happy. We try to defend as a team and our numbers show exactly that collective effort.
'The objective is to win matches at home, the objective is not to concede goals. Of course if you don't concede you are closer to winning matches, but that is not an obsession for us.
‘The record means absolutely nothing for us. We lost the last match we need points. I know the way Newcastle plays and the way Benitez prepares his teams. We need to get back to the points we need.’
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