08/08/2017 09:50, Report by Adam Marshall in Skopje

Within just a few moments of them arriving at the Philip II Stadium in Macedonia, it's abundantly clear: Jose Mourinho and Zinedine Zidane are box-office bosses. 

For all the superstardom of the players who put on the famous red shirt and all-white strip, the locals clearly also worship two of the most successful managers in the game. Mourinho has forged an enviable reputation with some of the biggest clubs on the planet and, as he arrived by car to the ground in Skopje, created a buzz of activity and excitement.

While Zidane built up his personality during a stellar playing career, the United boss is all about his incredible work as a coach, arguably making tactics 'cool' for a younger generation. As is always the case when covering his press conferences on the continent, he was respectful to the hosts and is never afraid to display his vast knowledge of football. It was often said Sir Alex Ferguson had a sharp memory on matches and events but Mourinho's grasp of the game is impressively far-reaching.

He effortlessly shifts between Spanish and English with his answers, as journalists try to keep up with special headsets relaying live translation. English is on channel one, Spanish on two and there is a third for Macedonian. Of course, languages are no problem for Jose and he projects a confident air, even while acknowledging Real Madrid, as European champions, deserve to be considered favourites.

The Reds manager is in game mode and is focused, seemingly solely, on the job in hand. It is only when he moves out to the pitch that he is more jovial in the company of his players but he does cheekily suggest his attempts to replicate warm-weather training at the Aon Training Complex were a complete waste of time due to the Manchester rain, which prompts smiles all round.

When Zidane enters, his chiselled looks invite flashes of cameraphones from many of the journalists. Dressed in a white Madrid top, he looks like he could easily turn the back the clock and parade his skills on stages such as the UEFA Super Cup. The French icon chats away in Spanish, only pausing to struggle to find the correct word on a couple of occasions. He does not attempt English but is calm and probably more cheerful than expected.

He does admit that he is in a better mood than at a previous press conference and, even when pushed on Gareth Bale's situation, does not snap and merely answers with a degree of exasperation that he has said all he has to say on the matter. One message he is keen to get across is he will not flood his midfield to counteract United's formation, stating: "For the fans, I don't think we'll play more midfielders and have a big battle. I don't think we'll do things like that." 

It's the sort of thinking that could play into master tactician Mourinho's hands but there can be no under-estimating Zidane, who has had instant success as a coach and, after all, who would not be ultra-confident after being the first manager to defend the Champions League?

When the star bosses' time with the media is up, the UEFA man's choice of phrase is interesting. "You are free to go," he indicates, using the kind of terms you would expect at the end of a police interrogation. Maybe that is how these celebrity managers must feel at times but, without any shred of doubt, there was nothing but respect, and even a degree of adulation, from those posing the questions and busily dictating their responses.