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Jose Mourinho says Stamford Bridge is no longer lucky for him ahead of Chelsea clash

Jose Mourinho looks on prior to kick-off at Vicarage Road

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admits he no longer views Stamford Bridge as a lucky ground after his struggles there in his final season at Chelsea.

Mourinho went unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in the league during a sensational first spell at Chelsea from 2004 to 2007 which yielded two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two league cups.

It was not until Mourinho's 78th league game, during the first season of his second spell with the club, that the 'Special One' was finally beaten by lowly Sunderland.

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Frank Lampard thinks Jose Mourinho will be eager to lead Manchester United to victory on his return to Chelsea

During his final as Chelsea boss, Mourinho's supremacy at Stamford Bridge deserted him. Crystal Palace won in west London last August and the Blues were blown away by Southampton just four days later.

They suffered a third home Premier League defeat to Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at the end of October.

When newly-promoted Bournemouth won at the Bridge on December 5, it proved a critical blow for Mourinho who was sacked just one game later.

Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti pictured at Stamford Bridge
Image: Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti pictured at Stamford Bridge in 2010

On the previous occasion Mourinho returned to the ground as a visiting he manager, with Inter Milan in 2010, he declared "Mourinho is lucky at Stamford Bridge".

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He was successful in dumping Chelsea out of the Champions League as Samuel Eto'o secured a 1-0 victory but he is far less bullish ahead of Sunday's trip with Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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Mourinho said: "When I played there with Inter, before that, I never lost a match at Stamford Bridge because I had that home record.

"Now I have lost a few matches at the Bridge. Last season I lost two or three matches at the Bridge, so I cannot use the same words because now I have lost there.

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"I knew that, working in England and staying in the Premier League, I knew that sooner or later, I had to play against Chelsea and go to Stamford Bridge.

"The computer has decided it is to go now. And here we go."

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Former Manchester United defender Denis Irwin believes Jose Mourinho will get a positive result on his return to Chelsea

Chelsea, who are fifth in the table, sit two places and two points above United heading into the game but Mourinho says he has not been paying special attention to how his old side have developed under Antonio Conte.

Mourinho said: "I don't have to analyse their start to the season. But you look to the table and you see where they are. They are in a good position.

"So the start of the season cannot be bad if they are where they are."

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