Leicester are still underdogs, insists Claudio Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri insists champions Leicester are still the underdogs ahead of the Community Shield final against Manchester United.

The Italian manager wants his team to retain their dark-horse mentality heading into the new Premier League season, with their first game against Hull live on Sky Sports, despite holding onto all-but one of their best players and strengthening in the transfer market.

Ranieri believes Jose Mourinho will arrive in north London with a strong Manchester United team but will command the maximum from his players.

"It's not possible to be 100 per cent but it's important to play well and to enjoy it with the fans. 

"I want the maximum. I don't know what the maximum is. Maybe at the moment it's 60 percent, but I want 100 percent of that 60 percent - then I'm happy.

"We know very well that we are the champions but we are the underdogs. We have a lot of respect for all the teams but of course we want to beat everybody. This is my philosophy and of the players.

"We try to do our best in every match. These players worked so hard to achieve this great match at Wembley, and I think all the players and managers want to play at Wembley - one of the most famous stadiums in the world.

"Now, I can do this. I expect to meet a very strong team that are very well organised, with big champions on the pitch. It's normal. Jose Mourinho always tries to win - his career speaks."