Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho plays down Liverpool derby and says ‘we have to prove nothing’
MANCHESTER UNITED manager Jose Mourinho has promised his side have "nothing to prove" against Liverpool - and either side can only win three points, not four.
United's fierce rivals face off in the early Premier League clash on Saturday, with Mourinho's side poised to go back to the top of the table outright, even for a few hours.
Manchester City remain top of the Premier League on goal difference, with a superior goal difference of +20 to United's +19 and Pep Guardiola's side host Stoke at the Etihad.
Liverpool are currently seventh in the Premier League, behind Burnley on 12 points to their rivals' 19.
But Mourinho played down the significance of the fixture, that has become one of the most fiercely fought in Premier League history.
Mourinho said: "It's three points, not four. Maybe if we were in a moment of the season where it was a duel between two teams it could mean more but it's not the case.
"At the same time, in these kinds of matches, every single moment plays a part.
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"We are playing against a good team with very good players."
Both Liverpool and United remain England's most successful clubs, with 18 league titles for the Merseyside club, while United now have 20, following Sir Alex Ferguson's incredible 13-title haul.
Mourinho has himself had some fiery encounters with Liverpool over the years, including the unforgettable 2-0 for Chelsea in 2014 win that ended the Reds' title hopes.
That day the Portuguese ran up the touchline thumping the Chelsea badge on his chest.
But United were criticised for parking the bus last term in their 0-0 draw at Anfield, as Liverpool dominated long periods of play, but could not score.
That seemed to sum up United's season, but this term has been a different story, with the Red Devils firing in 21 goals, compared to Liverpool's 13 in the league.
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Meanwhile United have conceded just two while Liverpool have let in 12 - with only West Ham and Crystal Palace housing more leaky defences.
Mourinho added: "I think we are a batter team. You can say, like some people do, we have not played one of the top five teams.
"But last season we did not beat West Ham at home, last season we did not beat Everton at home or Southampton away.
"Globally we are a better team, does not mean we are going to be as successful as last season, winning two titles?
"I don't know. But we are better.
"We have to prove nothing. We have our objectives for the season, we know where we want to go and how we have to go.
"One match, one result, one performance - that's not going to change anything."
