Karanka Ready For Old Pal Jose

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka is relishing the task of pitting his wits against old mentor Jose Mourinho on Saturday.

Manchester United boss Mourinho hired Karanka as his assistant at Real Madrid in 2010 and they spent three years together. 

"I spent three amazing years with him at Madrid," Karanka said. "It will be nice to see him. At the end of the game, we will share a glass of wine or beer or coke. This is one of the fixtures I was looking forward to most. I have a lot to thank Jose Mourinho for.

"I have to say thanks to him and to his staff so many times. I am in the Premier League because I learnt a lot with them.

"They gave me the last push to become a manager. We are really good friends and have a really good relationship." 

Karanka admits that he might struggle to surprise Mourinho with his tactics, as both like to play the game the same way.

"Sometimes I analyse them and I find similarities with us," he said. "But I have to do something different because he knows me.

"I will try, but it's difficult to surprise Jose.

"It will be a special moment for me and for the team, but it is football, and three important points to play for. In those 90 minutes you can't be friends.

"I never go to a game aiming for a draw. We will go to Old Trafford preparing and trying to win."

Credit: Skysports.com