Mourinho: I'm still the Blues' best

LONDON - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, humbled for the second time this season in front of the Chelsea fans who once idolized him, did not exit quietly on Monday after declaring he still rates as the London club's No 1 manager.

Mourinho, winner of seven major trophies during two spells in charge at Stamford Bridge, suffered 'Judas' taunts by fans with short memories as his battling 10-man United side fell 1-0 in a stormy FA Cup quarterfinal.

Mourinho also clashed with his successor, Antonio Conte, who remains on course to claim a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season at Chelsea.

"They can call me what they want. Until the moment they have a manager that wins four Premier Leagues for them, I'm the number one," said Mourinho, who was fired last season after leading the Blues to a double of league and League Cup in 2014-15.

"When they have somebody that wins four Premier Leagues for them, I become No 2. Until then, Judas is No 1."

Mourinho became involved with fans behind the away dugout during a pressure-packed first half, raising three fingers - the number of Premier League titles he delivered for the club.

He was particularly frustrated by referee Michael Oliver's decision to send off Ander Herrera in the 35th minute for a second yellow card - both for fouls on Eden Hazard.

United seemed to target Hazard before the break, something that did not go unnoticed by Conte. Mourinho said the sending-off changed the game and that the holder would have won had it been 11 versus 11.

"I think we can agree there was a match until Herrera saw the red card and there was another match after that," said Mourinho, whose side can still add the Europa League to the League Cup it has already secured in his first season with United.

"Before that I saw a match that we were going to win. When we stayed with one player less they could be more dominant. But in spite of that we defended well and had the biggest chances.

"Mr Oliver goes home and he can do his own analysis because I don't want to analyze his work."

N'Golo Kante struck the winner in the 51st minute although United, without suspended striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and injured duo Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial, dug deep as Marcus Rashford came close to netting an equalizer.

United, which lost for just the third time in all competitions since being crushed 4-0 at Chelsea in October, faces Rostov in the Europa League's last 16 on Thursday, with the tie level at 1-1 after the first leg.

"We have a very important match on Thursday and I want to rest a little bit and prepare as best as we can," Mourinho said.

"I am very proud of my players and very proud of my supporters."

Conte took a swipe at Mourinho's tactics by accusing United of trying to kick Hazard out of the match.

"We came to play football ... but for 25 minutes it was impossible for Eden Hazard to play, because he was being kicked around," Conte said.

"It could be a tactic. I think everyone saw it. Sometimes when you play against a player with a good talent you try to intimidate him.

"I think that the referee must protect this type of player."

Conte, whose Premier League leader has been drawn to play London rival Tottenham Hotspur in the semifinals, praised Belgium forward Hazard's patience.

"It's very difficult and very dangerous to receive a kick from the back ... He has a strong character and he showed that today."

Conte, chided by Mourinho for celebrating too wildly after Chelsea's 4-0 romp last fall, said he controlled his emotions on Monday.

But the pair squared up on the touchline in the first half after a series of crunching tackles on Hazard and the fourth official had to stand between them. Referee Oliver paused the game to tell the two managers to calm down.

A fist-pump rather than a traditional leap into the crowd by Conte followed Kante's goal.

"I controlled my emotions very well today. I didn't exalt our goal, but it's normal for managers to try to do our best to push our team," he said.

The game had been billed as a showdown between Chelsea managers past and present but Conte, aiming for a league and cup double said: "The coach is not the most important thing. The most important thing is what happens on the pitch. For me what happens on the outside is only circus."

Reuters