Bring it on, Liverpool!

MOURINHO: ANFIELD? BRING IT ON!

Jose Mourinho cannot understand when pundits suggest intense atmospheres at grounds like Anfield can be a negative for his Manchester United players.

The boss insists his charges are desperate to compete in such an environment and would much prefer that to a flat response to any given match.

In his press conference ahead of Saturday's blockbuster showdown with arch-rivals Liverpool, Mourinho also stressed that facing an intimidating reception on Merseyside will not be an issue.

"You know, it's funny for me," he said. "Because, when people speak about big atmospheres, it looks like we don't like it. It looks like we have a big problem for us to go to a certain place and face a certain atmosphere. But this is what we want.

"I am surprised that you speak about that in a negative way and I am even more surprised when you see former big players speak about atmospheres like they are something sinister, something that worries us. It motivates us. It's something that we want. It's something that, if we could have every match, we would have it every match.

"When Barcelona played against Las Palmas with an empty stadium, do you think the players are happy with that? Do you think the Las Palmas players wouldn't prefer to play with the Nou Camp full of people with a great atmosphere?

"You speak about Old Trafford and, in this case, Anfield like it's a big problem," he added. "But it's a satisfaction, that's what we want. I never see a player complain that this atmosphere was a bit strong. We complain when the atmosphere is flat. When we play at home and we don't see big enthusiasm in the people, we complain.

"So we go to where we go. We go to play who we play. There's big tradition, in an amazing stadium, and we know the fans have animosity against Manchester United historically. But this is what we want. So we are very happy to have one more opportunity to play in these beautiful conditions. It's beautiful to play at Anfield."