Did Jose Mourinho punch a Man Utd fan?

Jose Mourinho, aka the chosen one, has never been the sort of person to take defeat lying down. Now police are investigating claims that the Inter Milan manager's legendary temper got the better of him and that he punched a gloating United fan in the face as he left Old Trafford stadium following his team's Champions League defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Wednesday night.

"At 11.55pm on Wednesday 11 March 2009 a man reported he had been punched in the face on Sir Matt Busby Way, outside Old Trafford football ground," said Greater Manchester police in a statement yesterday. "Police are investigating a report of common assault. Inquiries are continuing."

A police spokeswoman confirmed that investigating officers had requested CCTV footage from Manchester United. United confirmed they were aware of the allegation but said the club would be making no further comment.

While Mourinho or his club have yet to comment on the allegation, witnesses claim that the supporter, who is from East Anglia, waited outside the ground for the teams to depart and greeted the former Chelsea manager with chants of "Bye bye Mourinho" and "Fuck off Mourinho" to the tune from the Verdi opera, Rigoletto.

Mourinho had certainly had a hard time from Italian journalists before the game, which was billed as a clash between himself and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson more than the teams themselves. Responding to one question, he said: "If anyone wishes to criticise my team, they will have to fight me."

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