Jose Mourinho says Manchester United are not at a disadvantage playing Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham at Wembley, Spurs’ temporary home this season.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been playing at the national stadium – the venue for both of this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals, with Chelsea playing Southampton on Sunday – while White Hart Lane has been rebuilt this season.
Mourinho pointed to his Inter Milan side’s 2010 Coppa Italia triumph against Roma at their opponents’ Stadio Olimpico home and his Real Madrid team’s 2013 loss at their Bernabeu home to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.
Mourinho, who is seeking a fourth FA Cup triumph after three with Chelsea, said on Friday: “I don’t think it’s an advantage at all.
“I played one cup final in Roma’s stadium against Roma and I won. I played a cup final in my stadium and I lost.
“So I think when you go to these big moments with these big decisions, semi-finals, finals, I don’t think it’s an advantage.
“In some countries even the cup semi-final is played home and away, not (in a) neutral ground, like in England. That’s just football.
“I look at this, Tottenham-Manchester United, the same way I look at Huddersfield-Manchester United or Manchester United-Brighton at Old Trafford.
“Sometimes it’s at home, sometimes it’s away. This time it’s away, but I don’t see any advantage. For me it’s the same as playing at Old Trafford.”
United responded from the 1-0 loss to West Brom, which saw Manchester City crowned Premier League champions, with Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth.