Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal has claimed that his Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho thrives "when he is fighting" with people.

The two Portuguese coaches will meet next Saturday when the Swans travel to Old Trafford seeking points to pull further clear of the Premier League dropzone.

Carvalhal, who spent time learning under Mourinho while at Chelsea, believes that he shares similarities with his compatriot but also thinks the former Real Madrid boss is more confrontational.

"I like Mourinho and he knows that I like him," Carvalhal told Sky Sports News. "I studied him. I spent a week at Manchester United when Alex Ferguson was there, then a week watching Mourinho at Chelsea. I also went to Real Madrid.

"I tried to learn with the best. He has a big self-confidence, like I do. You need that. But he is a completely different personality to me. He likes confrontation. He likes to fight with people. And he's very good when he is fighting.

"I am completely different. I like to keep far away from the fight. I like to win, but, if someone tries to fight with me, they will find they are fighting with themselves. If a club sacks me one day, the next morning, I feel sorry for them because they have lost a good manager.

"My background is strong, in knowledge - in both theory and practice. I know I have experience and I'm completely ready for everything."

Swansea are three points clear of the relegation zone with eight games remaining.