Manchester United vs Arsenal: Jose Mourinho insists he isn't shown the same respect as rival Arsene Wenger

Mourinho was speaking ahead of his side's eagerly anticipated clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford

Mourinho's United will be looking to end Arsenal's run of 16 games unbeaten on Saturday (Getty)

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has delivered a dig to his old adversary Arsene Wenger, whom he faces in the Premier League this weekend, declaring that he is not afforded the same respect as the Frenchman, even though his own last title was won “18 months ago… not 18 years ago.”

Mourinho, who said that Wayne Rooney was “ready” for this weekend despite the controversy surrounding his drinking while away on England duty, told journalists that “Mr Wenger has respect, I don’t think I get respect.”

The manager, who suggested that both of them deserved respect for the titles they had won, said he was indifferent to the fact he felt he was overlooked, despite the fact that the Arsenal manager’s sides have beaten Mourinho only once in 15 games. That victory was last season’s Community Shield.

Mourinho said: “Tomorrow is the match between the two managers with the best records in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson isn’t there any more and tomorrow I think we are speaking about six or seven Premier League titles [between us.]

“I have three, I think. Mr Wenger has three or four - I don’t know. Does that mean we should be respected even in periods where our results are not the best? I think Mr Wenger has that respect from all of you. I don’t think I have especially because my last Premier League title was 18 months ago. It was not 18 years ago.

“So I don’t think I get respect but it’s not because of that that is peak better or not so good. I just follow my way because I want to win my ninth championship and my fourth Premier league.”

Mourinho refused to discuss the Rooney controversy. He said: “Over the last two or three days nothing happened. He trained like everybody else, he wants to play like everybody else. He is ready. What happened in the national team happened in the national team. I don’t comment. My players - when they go there they go to the national team, I don’t like to interfere.”

Mourinho entered the international break amid controversy over his criticism of Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling’s willingness to be available at Swansea, since when it has emerged that Smalling has a broken foot. The manager said Shaw had his confidence but refused to discuss Smalling, implying that the “sources” who revealed the broken foot may not be reliable – though not denying that the foot was broken.