Former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho fired shots at Manchester City and his old rival Pep Guardiola, saying he has not given up on his hope of receiving a bonus from his former employers – Manchester United – if City is stripped of the 2017-18 league title for breaking financial rules.

The Portuguese coach, who managed the Red Devils from 2016 to 2018, will lead his Fenerbahce side to face his old side in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Ahead of the game at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Mourinho reflected on his time at Old Trafford, particularly the 2017-18 season, during which he led United to a second-place finish behind Pep Guadiola’s Manchester City.

Mourinho wondered if he might win the title should City be found guilty of the 115 charges they are facing amid an ongoing investigation and hearing by an independent panel.

“As you know, we won the Europa League, and we finished second behind Manchester City in the Premier League, I think we still have a chance to win that league because if they punish Man City with points, maybe we can win that league and then Manchester United will have to pay me the bonus and give me the medal!.”

Mourinho, who has managed Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid, also backed under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag and praised United’s potential despite their recent struggles.

Following Mourinho’s transition to Turkiye, his Fenerbahce side has enjoyed a change in fortune in the Super Lig. Fenerbahce are fourth on the table, eight points behind bitter rivals Galatasaray.

They will welcome Manchester United, who are gunning for a first victory in the UEFA Europa League this season after draws against FC Twente and Porto, as well as their disappointing start in the Premier League, where they sit 12th, to their Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.