Mourinho Calls Ronaldo a 'liar'

Jose Mourinho has exchanged bitter words with his Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo over claims that Manchester United get special treatment from referees. Mourinho insisted last weekend there was a new rule in football that United should never concede a spot-kick and Chelsea should never win one. But when Ronaldo replied by insisting the Chelsea manager "never recognises when he is wrong", Mourinho suggested that he would be lying if denied United received special treatment.

Mourinho said on Portuguese television: "A player that wants to be the best in the world needs to behave well, to keep quiet and to have sufficient honesty and maturity to verify that against the facts that I have shown, there is no argument on his part. If he says that it is false that Manchester United have conceded penalties that were not given, it's lies. And if he is a liar he will never reach the highest level that he desires in football."

Ronaldo, however, is exasperated by Mourinho's non-stop digs at Chelsea's rivals. In the space of seven days Mourinho has not only claimed United get special treatment but also taunted Liverpool by insisting they are not a big club and claimed that Chelsea should have won a spot-kick against Rafael Benítez's side - even though the offence clearly happened outside the box.

Now Ronaldo has finally snapped and decided to speak out about his countryman. The United winger said: "The whole world knows how Mourinho is. He always has to say something to gain attention, especially when he is not happy with the work of his players. He never recognises when he is wrong."

United and Chelsea are already primed to face each other in the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 19 and in a potentially make-or-break Premiership clash at Stamford Bridge on May 9. And there could also be a Champions League final between the sides on May 23 but Ronaldo says United will do their talking on the pitch.

He said: "Manchester United are only thinking of going to Milan to win and scoring goals without speculating. We have a good team and we are going on the right path to win everything this season."

Frank Lampard has rejected Benítez's claim that Liverpool's home support could be the decisive factor in the tie against Chelsea next week. Chelsea carry a 1-0 lead into the second leg and, although Liverpool hope that the Anfield atmosphere is worth a goal start in the return leg, Lampard believes his team can also thrive in baleful circumstances.

"People talk about the atmosphere being intimidating but if you're a top player then you should relish playing in that kind of environment," said Lampard. "I don't see the problem with that. Their fans will be behind them but that's normal. Every player should get themselves up for that whether you are Liverpool or Chelsea. We should we think we are going to go there and play our football."