Claudio Ranieri says Jose Mourinho bad blood is 'prehistoric' as Manchester United host Leicester

Jose Mourinho's feud with Claudio Ranieri has long been buried, according to the Leicester City boss, who takes his side to Manchester United on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1.

The United boss criticised Ranieri earlier in their careers for the Italian's poor English and lack of silverware, before the Foxes triumphed to Premier League success last season while Jose Mourinho was sacked from Chelsea. 

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Ranieri remained quiet over the Portuguese's comments, but defended himself in 2008 by insisting he did not need trophies to prove himself. 

The pair met in the Community Shield at the start of the new campaign, in which United ran out 2-1 winners at Wembley. Despite Mourinho's side having suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, Ranieri has hailed his opposite number's qualities and said previous issues between the two are now long gone. 

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"Yes, but it's prehistoric, not now," he said. "It [their relationship] is fantastic, very good, no problems, why?

"Do you remember in the summer when we had the Soccer Aid, I managed the Rest of the World team against Jose's English side.

"It [the issues] was a long time ago, I'm okay. All managers have a lot of jobs to do. It's normal, he's a great manager and a fantastic person.

"Maybe he has to offer me a good red wine. I love red wine and if he offers I will go and drink it with him [after Saturday's game].

"Mourinho is a fantastic manager, intelligent, clever." 

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Mourinho has put United's poor form due partly down to individual defensive errors, with Luke Shaw singled out for criticism after the 3-1 defeat to Watford. 

However, Ranieri believes Mourinho's public criticism of some of his players could be a sign of the mind games the former Real Madrid boss often employs in order to spur on his team. 

"Every manager has his book, sometimes you need to do this," said Ranieri. "Sometimes, maybe not here but at another team, also I push to provoke the reaction of the player. There's always a psychology. I don't know what Jose did, so it's difficult for me to say. Also, if I know I don't tell you!" 

Meanwhile, Leicester could be without goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for the trip to Old Trafford after he suffered an muscle strain in training on Thursday and will be assessed ahead of the game.

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