Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 6y

Jose Mourinho: 'I know' Man United players acted properly in City melee

MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho says he is certain his Manchester United players did nothing wrong during the confrontation with Manchester City players and staff following Sunday's 2-1 derby defeat.

Both clubs have been asked to give their version of events to the Football Association, but the Portuguese coach is adamant his players will have no case to answer when the investigation into the incident in the Old Trafford tunnel concludes.

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."

Sources told ESPN FC the incident in the tunnel was triggered by what Mourinho deemed to be 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."

And the United manager pointed to his team's celebrations after their 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates earlier this month as proof his players know how to be respectful even after an important victory.

"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."

Mourinho was 16 minutes late for his news conference at Carrington on Tuesday afternoon, during which time Pep Guardiola was holding his own news conference at City's training base.

But Mourinho's briefing was cut short after six-and-a-half minutes before he stopped in the doorway to suggest the line of questioning about the post-derby brawl was disrespectful to Bournemouth, who visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

"Bye. Bye. You don't like Bournemouth, hey?" Mourinho said as he left. "You don't respect them? You don't think they are a team capable of coming to Old Trafford and doing well? No respect for Eddie Howe? No respect for the players?"

Paul Pogba is not available against Bournemouth while he serves the second game of his suspension, while Marcos Rojo is a doubt after the defender went off at half-time against City with a head injury.

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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