Jose Mourinho criticises Premier League scheduling of Crystal Palace encounter but calls on players to adopt the right mentality

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Jose Mourinho has warned his Manchester United players to adopt the right mentality as they face bottom-of-the-table Crystal Palace three days after a 5am return from Moscow.

Mourinho is unhappy that United are kicking off at 3pm on a Saturday after an exhausting round trip to Russia for a midweek Champions League game against CSKA.

Another victory in Moscow – and a fifth four-goal haul in 10 games this season – has raised expectations of a convincing win against struggling Palace who are without a point or even a goal in the Premier League this season.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has urged his player to have the right mentality

The Portuguese confirmed Paul Pogba will miss the Crystal Palace clash at Old Trafford

Mourinho feels he could have been handed more time to prepare for facing Roy Hodgson's side

But Mourinho is concerned that the week's exertions will have an adverse effect on his players. 'The mentality is very important because we played Wednesday night and we arrived in Manchester at 4am,' he said. 

'So home 5am, and we have to play tomorrow so mentality is very important.

'We have to play against everybody home and away, and when I Iook at the fixtures I only look to the period of time we have to recover from match to match. 

Romelu Lukaku scored twice as United made light work of CSKA Moscow in the Russian capital

Mourinho feels a blend of experienced manager in Hogson and good players will help Palace

'That's the only thing that concerns me and makes me think. The opposition is not the problem. We are playing the matches that we have and we are doing well, that's the only thing I can say.'

Mourinho believes there is still plenty of time for new Palace boss Roy Hodgson to save the club from relegation after their dreadful start, even though the trip to Old Trafford is followed by a meeting with champions Chelsea after the international break.

'A long time to go,' said Mourinho. 'It's just the beginning. An experienced manager and good players, a good club and a long time to fight to reach their objectives.'