Antonio Conte shrugs off Manchester United links ahead of Tottenham’s match this weekend

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte pushed back at suggestions he had been linked to the Manchester United job before taking up his role in north London.

Spurs face the Red Devils this weekend in a key clash in the battle of the top four.

Yet despite the pressure on the match, Conte looked relaxed during his press conference.

This was a stark contrast to the man who was questioning if he was the right man for the Tottenham project after the defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.

Conte also assured Tottenham fans he is now enjoying his time at the club, despite continuing being linked with Manchester United.

When asked about Manchester United, he revealed: “Honestly, I think that when United decided to sack Solskjaer, I signed for Tottenham.

“I enjoyed doing this, because at that moment, I found this situation very good for me, to work in a modern club with a fantastic stadium and training ground, with a big task to try to build something important, to build something competitive for the future.

“And then I signed for Tottenham, it happened after I signed, but honestly, I was very focused, and I am so focused on the Tottenham job that I didn’t read this.

“I didn’t read this. The present is Tottenham, for me. I am enjoying working with this club, with these players, we are trying to improve, to raise our level, this is my target at the moment. I repeat: I am enjoying doing it.”

Conte also revealed the injury to Ryan Sessegnon doesn’t look good and the young winger will miss the Manchester United clash.

The Italian manager has been handicapped recently by his growing injury list with Oliver Skipp and Japhet Tanganga yet to join first team training.

Last week, Conte suggested that his medical team be made to explain to the press why certain players were taking a while to return to training.

The injury to Sessegnon is another hurdle for the Italian manager to overcome, as the wingback was coming into form at just the right time.

Antonio Conte, who has preferred Sessegnon to Spanish flyer Sergio Reguilon, admitted it was bad news but hoped to see him after the international break.

Conte said: “Bad news about Ryan Sessegnon, he had a scan and he has a muscular problem.

“Maybe we’ll see him after the international break.

“About Skipp and Tanganga, we are not ready, we have to wait.”