One of the Premier League’s most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the season will take place at Old Trafford this Sunday when Manchester United face Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte have been involved in a bitter war of words during this campaign, which when added to the fact both club’s are fighting for a place in the top four, means this game should make captivating viewing.
United’s Portuguese coach was sacked by Chelsea in controversial circumstances in 2015 amid rumours that he had fallen out with many of the Stamford Bridge club’s players and staff.
However, The Blues talented attacker Willian, who has been in sensational form of late, has admitted that he still considers his former manager a friend. Although, the Brazil international revealed that he will forget their close relationship on Sunday, and believes his side has a good chance of coming away from Old Trafford with a positive result, when he said:
“He is my friend. I had a great time with him, but I am at Chelsea and he is now at Manchester United,”
“It is totally different to play in the Premier League [compared] to the Champions League. I think we can stay at this level and we can go to Old Trafford on Sunday and play another great game. We have to play in a similar way.
“Against Manchester United, I think we can do a great job.
“Against Manchester City it will be like the game against Barcelona – they like to have the ball. We have to stay compact and use the same plan we used against Barcelona. We can win these games. We will go there to try to win.”
Willian and his Chelsea team-mates will travel to Manchester full of confidence, after they put in an impressive performance during their 1-1 draw in the Champions League against Barcelona last night at Stamford Bridge.
However, United have an excellent home record under Mourinho, having only lost twice at Old Trafford since the Portuguese coach took over the reigns from Louis Van Gaal in the summer of 2016.