To give Arsene Wenger his dues, he really has tried his utmost to be civil to Jose Mourinho ahead of their renewed rivalry this weekend.
Manchester United prepare to face Arsenal in the knowledge their respective bosses have never been the best of friends.
Nevertheless, however hard Wenger tries, Mourinho seems intent on being petty.
The Portuguese may be a little envious of the Frenchman’s protracted success at one club, even if he hasn’t been regularly winning trophies for the last decade or so.
In an obvious dig at his old rival, he told reporters, per Goal.com:
“I think Mr Wenger has respect from others. I don’t think I have. My last league title was 18 months ago, not 18 years ago.”
The Special One’s critics will no doubt be wondering why he is deserving of such respect given his struggles since taking over at United.
The Red Devils are already adrift in the title race, and if they lose to the Gunners at lunchtime on Saturday, the pressure will once again be on Mourinho.
Regardless of the result, the United boss will do well to keep out of trouble; he has already been in hot water with the FA more than once this season, and another touchline feud with Wenger could be the final straw before he gets a stadium ban, so he’ll do well to keep his mouth shut.
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