Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United are facing ‘one of the biggest teams in the world’ in Juventus, while Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘one of the all-time best’.
Mourinho led Inter to successive Scudetti and the Champions League earlier in his career, while the United boss reportedly had a strained relationship with Ronaldo from their time at Real Madrid.
“I don’t like this Press conference, I don’t like to talk about individuals,” he replied to an opening question about Paul Pogba for Tuesday’s clash.
Jose Mourinho insists Manchester United are facing ‘one of the biggest teams in the world’ in Juventus, while Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘one of the all-time best’.
Mourinho led Inter to successive Scudetti and the Champions League earlier in his career, while the United boss reportedly had a strained relationship with Ronaldo from their time at Real Madrid.
“I don’t like this Press conference, I don’t like to talk about individuals,” he replied to an opening question about Paul Pogba for Tuesday’s clash.
“I don’t want to speak to the Spanish journalists because they are only interested in Real Madrid and Ronaldo.
“I’m happy here and to see out my contract and I would like to stay after my contract runs out as well. All I’m thinking about is United.
“I think Cristiano Ronaldo is at a level where he doesn’t need questions and answers. He’s one of the best players of all time and nobody can say differently.
“I’m going to play against one of the biggest teams in the world and that’s what motivates me and brings me here and I think the Press conference is going in other directions and if it is I want to go in other direction.
“The players you saw are the ones who are available. Nothing to hide. Alexis [Sanchez] is out.”
“I’m serious. I want to thank [Maurizio] Sarri for his honesty and Chelsea for it’s honesty too. But I’m not happy that it’s going too far with a young boy,” he added.
“I don’t think he deserves more than what he got. I accept his apology. I think he deserves a second chance not to be sacked and he went to a situation that in the end he recognised he was wrong.
“I hope they don’t disturb the career of a young guy and that’s the end of the story. But I would like the boy to go through more than that. I hope they let the kid [do that].”