Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has denied that his securing of Pedro Rodriguez in a £21million deal from Barcelona is not a victory over Manchester United.
The Red Devils had been heavily linked with the Spaniard for much of the summer window, but there was considerable shock when it was announced that a deal had been agreed with the Blues on Wednesday, and a day later his move to the English champions was confirmed.
Mourinho could therefore be feeling extremely smug – more so than normal – after pipping his fierce Premier League rivals to Pedro’s signature.
However, the Portuguese boss insists that beating United is of no significance.
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In his press conference on Friday ahead of their clash with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon, he said:
“I only want to beat Manchester United on the pitch,” as quoted by Sky Sports.
“I don’t even want to go in that direction. Our job here is not to try to get the players other teams want, it is to get players that we think are good for us.”