Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has again defended his management of Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah at Chelsea.

On Friday, Mourinho insisted he expected Salah to return from loan before he was sacked by Chelsea.

He said: "It's easier for you to say negative things about me and not positive things. Everybody knows I bought Salah. I was at Chelsea, he was at Basel and I am responsible for the players I bring to the club and he came to the club in my period.

"I was the person that obviously with Chelsea agreement -the board, the owner, people responsible for finance - but by the technical point of view I was the person who brought Salah to the country.

"We played against Basel, he played against me. Before I play matches, especially international matches, I spend a lot of time analysing the opposition I don't know as well. I watch and I told the club to buy that fantastic young player. You know that but you prefer to say negative things and not the positive things - this is the reality.

"He was not playing a lot and that is my responsibility as a coach and we decided with him it was better to have a loan period to play to grow up to become stronger.

"Internally again with the board and technical director, we thought Italian football could be good for him to develop. He went to Fiorentina. After that I left and I am not responsible for the process.

"But just to end as I am not comfortable speaking about a Liverpool player. Credit to him, Jurgen, the team and I am very, very, very happy for him - that's why we keep a good relation.

"He is a fantastic boy and he knows I have a great care for him and I'm really happy for the things that are happening for him. More than deserved."