Antonio Conte  has told  Jose Mourinho  that he will be wasting his time if he uses mind games ahead of  Chelsea’s  FA Cup  quarter-final against  Manchester United on Monday night.

Conte said: “Mind games don’t bring you to win. The most important thing is what happens on the pitch. To prepare the team in the right way, with good organisation.

“To talk football. To think about my team, to try through work to improve my players. These are the most important things for me and for every coach.

Jose Mourinho

“The mind games… they’re strange no? It’s strange to ask me this. My players and I are focused on the game on the pitch, on the work, and to try to improve every day.”

When asked if he feels the task is tougher for Chelsea this time, Conte said: “Yes, but in October, before the game, I was sure we’d face a great team. The same now.

“I think Manchester United, with Manchester City, have the best squad in the league. They have a lot, a number of great players with great talent and great experience to win. For sure, it can be a really tough game, for us and for them. But I think that now, for us, it’s better. In October we didn’t know our future. Now we are in March and we stay on top of the table”, added Conte.