Anfield trip will be beautiful, insists United boss Jose Mourinho

The Red Devils take on Liverpool in a lunchtime kick-off on Merseyside, a trip former United defender Mikael Silvestre likened to "going to hell".

But the Portuguese does not see it that way at all.

"You know, this is quite funny for me because I think when people speak about big atmospheres, it looks like we don't like it, it looks like it's a problem for us to go to a certain place and to face a big atmosphere," the United boss said.

"(But) this is what we want. I am surprised that you speak about (going to Anfield) in a negative way, I am even more surprised when I hear former, big players speak about atmospheres like something sinister, something that worries (us).

"It motivates us, it is something that we want, it is something that if we could have every match, we would have every match.

"You know, when Barcelona played against Las Palmas with an empty stadium (at the start of October), do you think the players were happy with that? Do you think Las Palmas' players wouldn't prefer to play with the Nou Camp full of people and a great atmosphere?

"We are speaking about Old Trafford, in this case Anfield, like it's a big problem. It's a satisfaction, that's what we want

"I never see a player complain 'oh, this atmosphere was very strong'. We complain when the atmosphere is flat.

"When we play at home and we don't see big enthusiasm in the people, we complain.

"So we go to where we want to go, we go to play against a big team with a big tradition in an amazing stadium with great tradition.

"We know that the fans have huge animosity against Manchester United historically, but this is what we want, so we are very happy to have one more opportunity in our careers to play in these beautiful conditions. It's beautiful to play at Anfield. Beautiful."