Mourinho: I can’t afford to focus on Guardiola

United boss plays down fiery encounters with City boss

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes neither he or Pep Guardiola can afford to let their rivalry distract them from their respective jobs.

The Portuguese was appointed Red Devils boss last week, following the sacking of Louis Van Gaal, while Guardiola agreed a deal to take over at Manchester City earlier in the year. And the fierce rivalry the two managers had in Spain is set to be revived in England.

However, Mourinho insists that the two can’t get carried away with what they have to say about each other, throughout their time in charge of their respective Manchester clubs, insisting it will cost them the league title.

“My experience does not allow me to be innocent,” said Mourinho. “I was with Guardiola two years in a league where me or him would be champion. In England, if I focus on him or he on me, the champion will be another [coach].”

Leicester City went from relegation favourites to league champions last season, shocking the football world, and the 53-year-old is well aware that something similar could happen again, if he gets distracted by his rival, Guardiola, across the City at the Etihad.

Both Mourinho and Guardiola won the title once, in a two-year spell where they managed Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. And in that time they met each other 11 times – having previously worked together when Mourinho was at United.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has ruled out signing any Portuguese players this summer, the former Chelsea boss announced.