"?Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is having a bit of a verbal tussle with Chelsea star Eden Hazard, but claims that the Belgian is not his enemy.
Hazard seemed to fire a shot at Mourinho by saying that Antonio Conte understands his players better because he was one himself, and Mourinho has gotten a few words in himself, taking the opportunity when Zlatan Ibrahimovic's sour relationship with Pep Guardiola was questioned.
The Swedish striker had quite a lot to say about Guardiola's treatment back at Barcelona, but Mourinho doesn't think that players and managers hold grudges.
"I never read Zlatan saying that Guardiola is a bad manager," Mourinho said via the "?Evening Standard.
"I never read it. I don't think he is motivated. It is normal between managers and players you have more connections with some than others, but that doesn't mean you hate each other.
"I read something, for example, that Eden [Hazard] is in love with Antonio [Conte, Chelsea manager] and was not in love with me. But he's not my enemy, it's just feeling, that's fine. I am happy for him.
"So Zlatan didn't have the best period of his career but that's fine, they are not enemies.
"We are not expecting Zlatan tomorrow to score a goal and run to Pep, sliding on his knees - that's not going to happen."
Seems an innocent comparison, but only if you don't know how Mourinho's mind works. Sure he makes a great point, but he's well aware that the message will reach his former player.