Jose Mourinho Says he has No Problems with Arsene Wenger

Sunday brings Manchester United versus Arsenal at the Emirates, and another chance for Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger to renew their individual rivalry. It’s been a heated one, with Mourinho incessantly throwing shade at Wenger, and the two men even getting into a physical altercation during one contest at Stamford Bridge.

However, Wenger said Thursday afternoon that he is open to the idea of making peace. Later, Thursday night, when word got to Mourinho, he was asked about Wenger’s comments during his pre-Arsenal press conference (video available at this link). His response to the query is below:

Mourinho said the following:

” He doesn’t need to (make peace). He doesn’t need to because there are no problems.”

” In the last match at Old Trafford, we shook hands before, after. I remember that I still met him in the corridor for the press conferences, we shook hands again.”

” He doesn’t need to make peace. When there is peace, I don’t have to have (a) problem. I am a big boy, I’m in football for all my life. I know that a problem on the pitch, the next day is not a problem anymore.”

” So for me, no problem at all and I think he will be very, very pleased with me that I am going to change my team to play against Arsenal, so I think he’ll be really happy with me!”

Prediction: Manchester United 0, Arsenal 0

While United will sit their stars, and be without numerous injured players, I still think will do enough to grind out a point at the Emirates. Fifth place United do not need to find a way to get all three points from this fixture in order to stay in the top four race, given what Mourinho just said about the Swansea City result being their last opportunity to realize that cause.

The sixth place Gunners need it more, but I have a feeling we’ll see a hyper-pragmatic, perhaps even ugly approach to this one (a la the Manchester derby) and an aesthetically displeasing final result.

We’ll have the links to the Man United injury report and Man United starting XI prediction up here soon.

Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN. 

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