Jose Mourinho has started the mind games before the Champions League clash against Manchester United by claiming that Nemanja Vidic should be suspended for both games.

The Serbia defender was sent off for elbowing striker Claudio Bieler in the face during United's 1-0 win over Liga de Quito in the Club World Cup final and will serve his punishment in European competition, with Uefa yet to decide on the length of any ban.

Mourinho also expressed surprise that the England forward Wayne Rooney had been cleared of allegedly stamping on midfielder Kasper Risgard during United's 2-2 draw with AaB last month.

"I was amazed that Rooney was not banned," the Portuguese coach told Friday's La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I would be amazed if Vidic did not get at least two matches, which could be too little for a gesture like that in a match seen by the whole world."

Mourinho repeated that he is happy to have been drawn against United in the first knockout round. "I wanted them because I don't see a great difference between Manchester, Bayern [Munich], Liverpool or Barcelona and, given that I love pressure and the excitement of the win-or-die match, I prefer to have the challenge of the European and world champions."

He dismissed media speculation that the Serie A title-holders are interested in signing Michael Owen from Newcastle United. "I never thought of him," he said. "Over the last year he has had lots of major injuries and now he is not the Owen we knew."

Mourinho said it might do his Brazilian forward Adriano good to move from Inter after having problems with him in the first part of the season because of indiscipline – but added that he would also be happy for the striker to stay.