Jose Mourinho says he was “not surprised” rival boss Pep Guardiola escaped a sending-off for his crazy touchline antics.
Manchester City boss Guardiola leapt onto the pitch as he celebrated wildly following Raheem Sterling’s dramatic added-time winner to beat Southampton 2-1.
Guardiola was then involved in a heated exchange with Saints’ Nathan Redmond as the pair left the pitch, with the FA having asked the City boss to explain his conduct.
Mourinho was sent off earlier this season when he put a foot on to the pitch late on in Manchester United’s 1-0 win at Southampton.
But the United boss said he was not surprised old foe Guardiola – who yesterday apologised for his conduct - did not suffer the same fate as him and see red.
“Surprised?” said Mourinho. “No, not surprised.”
Asked if that was because he felt he was treated differently to other bosses, Mourinho said: “I can’t answer to the second question.
“You know, if you’re my friends, don’t ask me the question, because you know I get into trouble, so no.”
Guardiola has until 5pm on Monday to provide the FA with a written explanation for his conduct, with the threat of a misconduct charge hanging over the City boss.
The Spaniard admitted he got lost in the moment in the aftermath of Sterling’s last-gasp 95th-minute winner and conceded he was not in control of his emotions.
Redmond issued a statement exonerating Guardiola of aggressive or intimidating conduct, but that has not stopped the FA from pursuing the matter with the City boss.
“I can’t control myself,” said Guardiola. “Hopefully I’ll improve. What I said is what I said and what Nathan said in his statement.
“I admire him as a player and say thank-you for his comments, but if the FA want my statement again, I’m able to explain whatever they want.”