Mourinho reluctant to risk Costa

Jose Mourinho will assess how Diego Costa trains today before deciding whether he can play at Manchester United tomorrow, but insisted the forward must be fully ready as Old Trafford is "not a place to protect players".

Costa has missed Chelsea’s last two games due to an ongoing hamstring problem, and then a 24-hour virus, but Mourinho stated yesterday he now has “a little chance” of appearing against United.

“He has to show [today] in the training session he’s capable of doing that,” the Chelsea manager said.

“He has to train without any limitations, to make a complete training session with the other guys without any kind of protection.

“If there’s a chance to play, Old Trafford is not the place to protect players. It’s a place to put players who want to play and are ready to play. If he’s ready to play, he plays.”

Mourinho admitted that he does have something of a selection headache for the trip to United, due to the number of attacking injuries. There is a possibility that 36-year-old Didier Drogba may be Chelsea’s only fit forward, which has raised discussion over whether the Portuguese may put out the same type of striker-less formation he did in the dismal 0-0 draw at Old Trafford of August 2013.

Mourinho insisted he did try and win that game, but the circumstances of tomorrow’s match are different.

“This time it’s even more difficult because in August (2013) every player was available. At this moment not everyone is and at this moment I still don’t know which one is available. Normally at this moment, two days before a game, I know the team. Everything is clear in my brain. In this moment I don’t know who is available, I have a lot of talk and information finally to make a decision. I have no idea.”

Mourinho does have a strong idea about the opposition manager, however, having spent three of his formative years as a coach under Louis van Gaal at Barcelona between 1997 and 2000.

The Portuguese was reluctant to talk about their “special” history due to the fact Van Gaal is his “opponent” this weekend, but backed the Dutch coach to get it right at United.

“I think they are in a fantastic position,” Mourinho said. “I know Louis is capable of buying well and coaching well. They are fine. Let’s see how things are at the end of the season… he will do it. He’s doing well.”

The absence of any ‘mind-games’ or comment was not just a reflection of his affection for Van Gaal.

It was also a reflection of Mourinho’s utter confidence right now, given that he finds himself in a familiar position: top of the table. He has won six of his seven league titles from such a start, and rarely let such leads slip.

“I like to be top of the league, especially because it gives you a little space for a mistake. We can in this moment be 100% sure we will leave Old Trafford top of the league (regardless of what happens).

“This is the only reason I like to be in that position. When you win something and you come from behind, obviously you deserve credit but you depend always on other results.”

Mourinho also spoke of hisaffection for Old Trafford — and referenced his challenge on singer Olly Murs in a charity game there back in May with surprising pride.

“It’s a place to enjoy. I went there with Soccer Aid and I still enjoyed it. Full stadium, even the players who were not players, people from other areas, actors, singers, comedians, all of them they were feeling the atmosphere in the stadium and they were enjoying so much they made me enjoy. That was a charity game. It’s a place where you have to enjoy. Did you see the tackle I made? If I could do on Sunday, I would. It’s the same referee. If I see (Angel) Di Maria in front of me dribbling, boom!”