On the back of the Nevilles' row with Lorius Karius, and Pep Guardiola saying he did not know who Stan Collymore was, Jose Mourinho took time out his busy schedule to take a pop at Michael Owen, who has been critical of Manchester United's signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Mourinho's dig

"Zlatan, in spite of your colleague Michael Owen who doesn't like him, the reality is he will score more goals in one season than Michael Owen in three seasons at Man Utd," Mourinho told BT Sport, the company he is an ambassador for.

"He scored 17 in three seasons, Zlatan is almost there in six months. He's not a bad choice for us."

Owens says goals were of more value to United

"Managers are getting awfully touchy," replied Owen, who qualified his remarks about the Zlatan signing.

"I think I said Zlatan wasn't the long-term type of player, a bit like Robin van Persie. Bought for a purpose, one or two seasons, but at some point Man Utd need to find the next Wayne Rooney. Buying him at 18, 19 or producing one themselves.

"I think my goals were of more value to Man Utd, as I cost about 10 per cent of what Zlatan's on a week!"