Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has hit out at claims he's at loggerheads with his players.

And the Portuguese accused the media of "lying" over reports of friction with his squad ahead of tonight's Premier League opener with Leicester City.

"I love my players and I love working with them. A lie that is repeated a thousand times is still a lie. But the perception of the people is that it is true. But it remains a lie," snapped Mourinho.

"So if you repeat a thousand times that my relationship with my players is not right, that is a lie that has been repeated a thousand times. But, again, the perception of the people can be different. But I love this group and these players. I enjoyed last season, taking the best position in the past five or six years. I know what words you want to hear from me."