Jose Mourinho press conference LIVE - Alexis Sanchez ruled out of Manchester United vs Juventus

Follow the latest from Mourinho’s press conference ahead of the Champions League clash

Jose Mourinho says Chelsea assistant coach Marco Ianni deserves a second chance

Manchester United face Juventus in the first of their Champions League double-header on Tuesday knowing that a victory would give them a great chance of reaching the knockout stages, having opened up a gap over third-place Valencia after their draw last time out.

But defeating last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists will be a tough ask for Jose Mourinho’s side given they arrive at Old Trafford with former United forward Cristiano Ronaldo in the ranks, with Juventus also looking to maintain their 100 per cent record in Europe this season.

Mourinho will speak to the media from 2pm where he will look ahead to the match itself, deliver that latest team news and no doubt be asked about Ronaldo’s Old Trafford return, as well as question over the fallout from the weekend’s 2-2 draw with his former club Chelsea. Follow his press conference live below.

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Key Points

• Alexis Sanchez ruled out of United vs Juventus tomorrow night
• Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard, Marcos Rojo, Scott McTominay and Diego Dalot also absent
• Mourinho defends Chelsea coach Marco Ianni and says 'he shouldn't be sacked'
• Also rules out links with a return to Real Madrid

[22 October 2018 11:00 · Jack de Menezes]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Jose Mourinho's press conference, with the Manchester United manager due to speak to the media this afternoon ahead of the Champions League clash with Juventus tomorrow night.

We're just two days gone from his fiery return to Stamford Bridge in the form of the 2-2 draw with Chelsea and there's plenty to discuss, including the threat of a Premier League charge hanging over his head as he awaits his fate for his gesture towards a television camera following the win over Newcastle.

Mourinho is also at risk of further action over the clash that marred the final seconds of Saturday's encounter with Chelsea, although it's fair to say that the Portuguese was antagonised into reacting by one of the Chelsea coaches.

With Mourinho due to start talking at 2pm BST, we'll kick off our coverage ahead of his arrival as we look towards tomorrow's Champions League clash.

[22 October 2018 13:46 · Mark Critchley]

We're in place at Old Trafford in the Champions' Club suite.

Jose Mourinho will be taking questions from journalists from 2.00pm, unless Romelu Lukaku beats him to it.

The Belgian - who has not scored in his last seven matches at club level - is the player that will face the media today.

[22 October 2018 13:59 · Mark Critchley]

Lukaku is an interesting choice, to say the least.

During the recent international break, the Belgian was quoted praising the Juventus project and saying he 'hoped' to move to the Serie A club one day.

Was something lost in translation? Lukaku now has the chance to clarify those comments.

[22 October 2018 14:00 · Mark Critchley]

First up though, Jose Mourinho...

The Manchester United manager is with us now.

[22 October 2018 14:01 · Mark Critchley]

Is Alexis Sanchez fit? He did not train.

The player you saw are the players available. Nothing to hide. Alexis is out.

[22 October 2018 14:02 · Mark Critchley]

There are reports linking you with Real Madrid today. Do you want to return to Madrid?

No I'm happy here. I'm happy to see out my contract. I would like to stay after my contract at Manchester United.

[22 October 2018 14:03 · Mark Critchley]

On Ronaldo, how do you rate him? Where does he stand in world football?

I thought Cristiano is on a level where he does not need these questions adn these answers. He is one of the best players of all time. Nobody can tell different than that. He is one of the best of all time. It is as simple as that.

[22 October 2018 14:04 · Mark Critchley]

How much pressure are you facing?

United's form was shown in the past two matches. The way we want to play, the way we can play was shown in the past two matches. Let's try to do it again.

[22 October 2018 14:05 · Mark Critchley]

Valencia left out of last two squads. Is there a chance he's back in tomorrow? Why did you leave him out?

The reason was he was 10 days out of training with a problem - not an injury, but he had a very complicated surgery on his mouth. He had 10 days without training and needed time to recover after that.

[22 October 2018 14:06 · Mark Critchley]

​On the draw at Chelsea...

Everyone was happy with the collective performance but not the result. There were contradictory feelings. What I told the players was to get the best out of these feelings. One side keep the happiness, the pride and confidence in the way we play, and use that anger if you want to call it that, to motivate yourself to play a big match.