The rivalry between managers Jose Mourinho of Manchester United and Antonio Conte of Cheslea is among the most bitter in world sport.

Recent exchanges between the two men have done nothing to enhance either’s reputation.

They will meet on the sideline at Old Trafford on Sunday with both men even more desperate than usual to get the bragging rights.

TACTICS

CONTE

The wheels seemed to be coming off after a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth and a 4-1 thrashing at Watford. But Conte’s ethic is all about hard work and over the last fortnight his side have returned to their usual high standards. The players clearly know their roles even if sometimes they don’t fulfill them.

Rating: 7

MOURINHO

Manchester United fans have become increasingly dis-illusioned with the manger’s tactics, or more accurately lack of tactics. United seem to have no clear game plan from week to week and the confusion over Paul Pogba’s role sums up exactly where the Red Devils are at. Safety first, negative football.

Rating: 5

PERSONALITY 

CONTE

The Italian is all energy on the sideline and he expects exactly the same from his players on the pitch – constantly urging and harassing them to keep working hard. He looked on the point of a meltdown a few weeks ago – and possibly the axe – but was composed and focused against Barcelona mid-week.

Rating: 7

MOURINHO

The Portuguese has become more and more surly and withdrawn over the last few weeks. Most of the time he is either sniping at the media or other managers – mostly Conte – and he seems to have lost the ability to communicate with his players. His hair seems to be greying with stress every passing day.

Rating: 4

TRANSFERS

CONTE

Chelsea’s transfer policy is extremely haphazard and its hard to know which are Conte’s decisions and which are forced upon him by above. The signing of Olivier Giroud was an odd move and is only trying to compensate for the loss of Diego Costa, who remains a major loss from last season’s title winning side.

Rating: 3

MOURINHO

This is one area Mourinho does excel in and with United’s unlimited financial resources there seems to be no end to the litany of superstars he can bring to the club – Alexis Sanchez just the latest example. But he needs to start getting better performances out of this all-star line up – or he can always buy another star.

Rating: 8

TROPHIES

CONTE

He only has one trophy to his name since his time at Chelsea – but what a trophy it is: the 2016/17 Premier League crown – attained at his first attempt no less. Best chance of another trophy this season is probably the FA Cup with the Premier League out of reach and the Champions League surely a bridge too far.

Rating: 8

MOURINHO

One thing Mourinho does know how to do is win trophies. Last year he won three – the League Cup, Europa League and the Community Shield – and that was regarded as a bad year. How other clubs dream of such bad years. Mourinho knows how to win finals – he just needs to get to the finals first.

Rating: 7

FORM

CONTE

The true worth of a manager is how well he can manage his resources to get the best performance on the field. Last year Conte managed his resources to perfection – this year less so. However Chelsea have found some of the last season’s form in recent weeks – Conte just needs to keep it going now.

Rating: 6

MOURINHO

United started the year in blistering form destroying teams with their all power game. They looked frightening. But since just before Xmas they have struggled – only four wins in their last nine PL games, with three draws and two losses. Last time out they loss to Newcastle without scoring a goal.

Rating: 2