Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been accused of tax evasion (Getty)

Manchester United’s preparations for their meeting with Chelsea appear to have been disturbed by Jose Mourinho’s tax evasion case.

The Portuguese coach is facing allegations from the Spanish state relating to his time as Real Madrid manager. It’s alleged he owes nearly £2.9million in undeclared revenue relating to image rights in 2011 and 2012.

Mourinho has strenuously denied the claims.

The Manchester United manager is due in court in Spain on Friday, although it has not been confirmed if he will attend the hearing in person.

However his press conference to preview Sunday’s game against Chelsea is scheduled for Thursday, rather than the usual Friday.

In addition, the Press Association report that players have been told of an altered training schedule.

Mourinho’s representatives commenting on the allegations in June

‘Jose Mourinho, who lived in Spain from June 2010 until May 2013, paid more than 26 million euros in taxes, with an average tax rate over 41 per cent, and accepted the regularisation proposals made by the Spanish tax authorities in 2015 regarding the years of 2011 and 2012 and entered into a settlement agreement regarding 2013.

‘The Spanish government in turn, through the tax department, issued a certificate in which it attested that he had regularised his position and was in compliance with all his tax obligations.’

While changes to their routine will be unwelcome, there is little doubt Manchester United will retain their focus on Chelsea with the clash at Stamford Bridge potentially crucial in the battle for the Premier League title.

They will go into the game after a comfortable 2-0 Champions League win over Benfica on Tuesday.

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