Maurizio Sarri believes Manchester United have the best squad in the Premier League and feels Jose Mourinho deserves more respect.
Chelsea take on Manchester United on Saturday afternoon with new manager Sarri very wary about what damage Mourinho's side can do.
The Blues, who are unbeaten in all competitions this term, are seven points above Manchester United in the table.
Mourinho's men have already lost three of their first eight League matches, but Sarri surprisingly ranks them above defending champions Manchester City.
He said: "I think they are a very strong team. Maybe, player by player, they are the best team in the Premier League.
“At the moment I think City are better as a team, but player by player, they are really very, very strong.”
There has been a lot of speculation since the summer that Mourinho is facing the sack at Old Trafford.
Sarri's predecessor at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte, exchanged verbal barbs with Mourinho on many occasions last term.
Mourinho is one of the greatest coaches in the world having won two Champions Leagues at Porto and Inter Milan, while he won a total of seven major trophies during two spells at Chelsea.
And Sarri added: "We are talking about a coach who has won everything. He has won everywhere. So I think that I have to respect him. But I think, also, that you all have to respect him.
"Is Mourinho not getting the respect he deserves? I think not. At the moment. I am a little bit (surprised at United's results), but I think it can happen. We are talking about only eight matches.
"They are doing well in the Champions League, so they have the opportunity to improve in the Premier League. We are talking about two months.
"I don't know the problem (he had) with Antonio. I think that, on the pitch sometimes, we are a little bit nervous. A little bit tense. You can say everything in that moment.
"But I think that it's not important. I think Conte respects Mourinho and vice versa.”
