Jose Mourinho has said he is sure his Manchester United players did nothing wrong during the confrontation with Manchester City players and staff following Sunday’s 2-1 derby defeat.
Romelu Lukaku is one of the United players accused of being involved in the bust-up in the corridor connecting the two dressing rooms, with reports the Belgian striker threw a bottle during the melee.
But asked at a news conference on Tuesday whether he was confident his players had acted properly Mourinho replied: “I know. I am not confident. I know.”
Asked specifically whether he felt the need to defend Lukaku, the 54-year-old said: “No. Accuse? Prove? Show evidence and punish him.”
Reports say the incident in the tunnel started after what Mourinho believed was disrespectful celebrations from City’s players and staff. Asked whether he thought the problem had risen because City believed it was appropriate to celebrate in that manner, while he did not, Mourinho answered: “Yes, exactly.”
“What we did in the Arsenal stadium, you know? It was completely diverse,” he said. “What we did, what happened after that match, the way we behaved as winners. It is diversity of behaviour, of opinion, of education. I have nothing more to say.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic could start for the first time since returning from a knee injury, although Mourinho insists he is not concerned about Lukaku’s form despite the striker scoring just twice in his last 14 games and added: “I am very happy with Lukaku.”
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