Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Antonio Conte's Key Pre-Match Presser Comments

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said former Blues boss Jose Mourinho will be the "enemy" when he returns to Stamford Bridge with his Manchester United side on Sunday but insisted the Portuguese deserves a warm welcome. 

Mourinho left Chelsea for the second time last December after overseeing a disastrous start to the 2015-16 season and succeeded Louis van Gaal as Red Devils boss in the summer.

He returns to Stamford Bridge for the first time since his sacking with United two points behind Chelsea in the Premier League table, and Conte paid tribute to his opposite number and predecessor ahead of the clash, per Aaron Flanagan in the Mirror and ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

"

He becomes, like the players of Man United, an enemy... but only on the sporting aspect.

I have great respect for him. I am sure that he is a great manager and he has won a lot in his career.

He deserves great respect.

"

Chelsea have won both of their last two matches in the Premier League—against Hull City and Leicester City—to get their season back on track after consecutive defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal.

United are undefeated in their last six matches, but they have endured a much tougher schedule than the Blues of late having drawn 0-0 with Liverpool on Monday and beaten Fenerbahce 4-1 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Chelsea's lack of European competition means they have had more time to prepare, but Conte admitted he would rather have been involved, like United, in midweek action than gain the perceived advantage of more rest time, per Chelsea:

Indeed, the Red Devils could well be boosted by their fluid display against Fener, which saw Paul Pogba score twice in one of his best displays since returning to the club.

Conte managed the French midfielder when he was in charge at Juventus, and he praised his former player, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:

Mourinho set United up to nullify Liverpool's attack for their trip to Anfield on Monday and came away with a point, and Bleacher Report's Dean Jones predicted a similar approach in west London:

Conte similarly imagined a defensive setup from United on Sunday, per Twomey:

In a boost for Chelsea, Conte also revealed that captain John Terry is available once again, and Kinsella provided a roundup of the Italian's fitness update:

The defence has been a problem for the Blues this season, but they kept clean sheets against both Hull and Leicester.

Another against United and Chelsea will be favourites to pick up all three points and claim arguably their biggest win of the Conte era so far.