Mourinho not afraid of Anfield

Jose Mourinho shot down suggestions that the partisan atmosphere at Anfield will have a negative impact on Manchester United, saying they love playing in such conditions.

It has been suggested that the trip to Anfield will be United's first real test of the campaign, as they are yet to face any of the top five from last year.

They will also undoubtedly get a frosty reception from the home fans, but Mourinho has downplayed the importance of this, certain that his players would rather play at a hostile Anfield than an empty stadium.

"This is funny for me," he told reporters at his pre-match media conference.

"When people speak about big atmospheres, it makes it sound like a big problem for us to go to certain place and face a big atmosphere. This [a great atmosphere] is what we want.

"When Barcelona played against Las Palmas in an empty stadium, you think Las Palmas players wouldn't rather play in a Camp Nou full of fans?"

"We know the fans have huge animosity against us historically, but this [the hostility] is what we want."

UCJ, UNILORIN.