Chelsea and Manchester United lock horns at Stamford Bridge today – and both Maurizio Sarri and Jose Mourinho have been exchanging pleasantries before the showdown.
Sarri defended Mourinho from criticism, saying: “We are talking about a coach who has won everything. He has won everywhere. So I think that I have to respect him.
“But I think you also all have to respect him.”
Sarri also believes United have the strongest squad in the Premier League – even more so than Manchester City.
“Maybe player by player they have the best team in the Premier League,” Sarri said.
“At the moment I think Man City are a better team but player by player they are very strong.”
Mourinho is returning to Chelsea for the fourth time since succeeding Louis van Gaal as United boss two years ago.
And the Red Devils manager has revealed he will not go overboard should his side emerge from west London with all three points.
“For me it’s another game,” Mourinho said.
“Would I celebrate like crazy my team’s goal at Stamford Bridge or my team’s victory? I don’t think so.
“I think I would try always to control myself and to respect the stadium and the supporters that were my supporters for many years.
“It’s a match I want to do well for my players, for my team, for my supporters.
“I’m 100 per cent Manchester United tomorrow. No space for anything more than respect.”
Chelsea team: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rédiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kovacic, Kante, Willian, Morata, Hazard.
Subs: Caballero, Cahill, Zappacosta, Fabregas, Barkley, Pedro, Giroud.
Man Utd team: De Gea, Young, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw, Mata, Matic, Pogba, Rashford, Lukaku, Martial.
Subs: Romero, Bailly, Darmian, Andreas, Herrera, Fred, Sanchez.