Antonio Conte wants Jose Mourinho to keep Paul Pogba on the bench for Manchester United’s clash with Chelsea

Conte also insisted he had no problems with Jose Mourinho ahead of their meeting on Sunday

Pogba's best performances have come under Conte (Getty)

Antonio Conte says it would be better for Chelsea if Paul Pogba was again on the Manchester United bench on Sunday, despite so much debate about his former Juventus midfielder’s current role.

The Stamford Bridge boss meanwhile sought to play down any tension with Jose Mourinho, saying he had “no interest” in talking about their January public spat, as he praised United as a side that is “always dangerous”.

He does feel they would be more dangerous with Pogba. The French international - who played under Conte for two years at Juventus between 2012 and 2014 - has been left out of the starting line-up for United’s last two matches. There has been debate about where best to play him, with Pogba said to be keen on a place in a three-man midfield, but Conte was in no doubt about his quality.

“We are talking about a top player,” the Italian said. “Talking about a fantastic player. I'm expecting to see him on the pitch. Then, if he stays out, it will be better [for us]… Every coach has to find the right way to manage him. But I think that Pogba is showing at United that he is a top player.”

Conte was quick to cut off any questions about his recent dispute with Mourinho and was instead full of praise for the Portuguese’s side.

“In the past, both of us said things. Okay, for me, it's okay. I'm not interested to speak about this topic… I’m not interested in this. I'm not interested in this.

“United are always dangerous. Always dangerous, because their squad is very strong. There are a lot of players, the squad is big, and fantastic players... this team also is very physical, great physicality.

“We must pay great attention. When you play against United, you have to know that anything can happen. There is the risk of losing the game because, I repeat, you are playing a really strong team. But massive game for us, and we have to do the best we can and put 120 per cent, all our strength, into trying to get three points.”