Xavi: Mourinho sometimes seeks 'war not football'

Xavi says Jose Mourinho's bristling nature is sometimes damaging to his managerial duties as he looks for "war not football."

The Manchester United boss is enduring some tough early days in his tenure, culminating in Sunday's damaging 4-0 loss at his old employer Chelsea, and former Barcelona midfielder Xavi knows Mourinho's work first-hand from the Portuguese's three years in the Spanish capital.

"Sometimes, when things don't go well for Mourinho, he wants war not football - like when he was at (Real) Madrid - and I hope we don’t see that again in England," Xavi is quoted by the Mirror's David McDonnell.

Mourinho is tipped by some to have incited a battle with his words whispered into the ear of Chelsea's Antonio Conte during the weekend defeat. The gaffer was displeased with his Italian counterpart geeing up the home crowd when the Blues were cruising, viewing it as a slight to him. Quite rich, considering Mourinho has been known to run down the touchline and slide on his knees to greet a goal or, more commonly, shake hands with an opposing coach before the final whistle when his side is comfortably leading.

In fitting with Mourinho's style, it was likely a bid to deflect attention from his players' failings ahead of them welcoming hated rival Manchester City to Old Trafford in Wednesday's League Cup meetings. It's an occasion which will renew touchline hostilities with ex-Barca manager and current City handler Pep Guardiola.

"When I knew they would be rival coaches again, I knew it would be good for football," said Xavi. "I knew it would be especially good for English football.

"They're two of the best coaches in the world and their duel can be the best in football."

The foes have already met on the other side of the Manchester divide this season, with City winning 2-1 at United in the Premier League in September.