Maurizio Sarri makes controversial statement on Man Utd

Declan Campbell

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri says that, player-by-player, Manchester United have the best squad in the Premier League.

The Italian boss revealed that on paper, Jose Mourinho’s United have the strongest team in the Premier League, even ahead of Manchester City, who last year broke the record for points in a single season.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of his side’s meeting with the Red Devils, Sarri said: “I think they are a very strong team. Maybe player-by-player, they are the best team in the league.

“At the moment I think City is better like a team, but player by player they are very, very strong. I don’t know if they will try to play their football.”

Mourinho’s men go into Saturday’s game under heaps of pressure, with speculation around the former Chelsea boss’ future at Old Trafford up in the air.

Despite the odds seemingly stacked against United, the former Napoli boss refuses to underestimate Mourinho’s side, and was full of praise for his managerial counterpart: “We are talking about a coach that has won everything, everywhere, so I think you have to respect him. I think you all have to respect him.”

Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge, where he had two spells as Chelsea boss, under pressure at United.

Sarri’s predecessor Antonio Conte had a running feud with Mourinho, but Sarri was not about to comment.

The Blues boss said: “I don’t know the problem with Antonio. On the pitch sometimes we are a little bit nervous, a little bit tense.

“You can say everything in that moment. It’s not important what I think, but I think Conte respects Mourinho and vice-versa.”