Portuguese men of war - Jose's penalty rant at Ronaldo

The controversial Chelsea chief rounded on the newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year after Ronaldo rebutted Mourinho's claims that United are leading a charmed life over key penalty decisions.

Scroll down for more

It drew a typically melodramatic response from Mourinho that is bound to provoke United chief Sir Alex Ferguson as he prepares his Premiership leaders for tomorrow's trip to Everton.

Ronaldo, who shares the same agent, Jorge Mendes, as the Stamford Bridge boss, said: "The whole world knows how Mourinho is. He always has something to say to gain attention, especially when he's not happy with the work of his players. He never recognises he is wrong."

Mourinho previously enjoyed a close relationship with his Portuguese compatriot, but the pressure is clearly getting to the Chelsea manager as the season reaches its climax.

The champions, who are three points off the pace in second, face leaders United in the Premiership on May 9, then again in the FA Cup Final on May 19, and could well meet in the Champions League Final on May 23.

Mourinho said: "A player who wants to be the best in the world needs to behave well, to keep quiet and 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."

United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz was also quoted as saying: "Mourinho has his own style, he always tries to divert everyone's attention to the points which are convenient for him. These are his tactics and that's the way he is."

Mourinho's feathers were ruffled at Newcastle on Sunday when his side were denied what he claimed was a penalty in the first half and he also claimed there was a new rule preventing United conceding spot-kicks after Middlesbrough had a late appeal turned down in a 1-1 Old Trafford draw.

There was no let-up after the 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday when Mourinho claimed German referee Markus Merk could have cost his team a place in the Athens final after failing to spot Alvaro Arbeloa's hand-ball outside the area.

While Mourinho continues to fall out with just about everyone, peace seems to have broken out between two of the Premiership's oldest rivals.

Arsene Wenger yesterday admitted Ferguson would be his choice as manager of the year.

The Arsenal boss decided against nominating Mourinho despite Chelsea' s quest for the Quadruple.

Wenger has had numerous bust-ups with the Scot over the years, but, asked who would get his vote, replied: "I feel this year Sir Alex Ferguson, because he's in a position to fight on every front."

The Arsenal manager also paid tribute to Reading boss Steve Coppell and said: "He's in a position where nobody expected him to be and has a team who do not play negatively — they have a positive attitude everywhere they go."