Leaders Chelsea have their three holiday games spaced over 10 days because their fixture with Tottenham has been put back to Wednesday January 4 for television purposes – whereas Arsenal and Manchester United both have to play three games in eight days and Liverpool three in seven. All three play on Monday January 2, just 48 hours after their Saturday fixtures.
With United 13 points adrift, Mourinho could not resist by saying: “The busy period is for some clubs, not for everyone. If you analyse the fixtures there is no congestion for them. It looks like the fixtures are chosen to give rest for some and to create problems to others.
“But we are used to it because we are in the Europa League and that is a competition that creates more difficulties – we know that, Southampton know that, Tottenham will know that later. It’s very difficult for others but for us it’s more of the same.”
Mourinho’s concern over Chelsea’s fixture advantage has been eased by the return of injured players like Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, while Luke Shaw is not far away.
“It’s good for us to have everyone available but Shaw and he’s not far away,” said Mourinho.
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Jose Mourinho is fuming at Manchester United's Christmas schedule
“At central defender, we have now all of them, Smalling is back, Bailly is back, Blind is fine, Rojo fine, a position where it’s important to have stability in options.
“We were in a difficult position a couple of months ago but now we are safe. We know Bailly is going to African Cup in January. For the next three matches we know what we have.”
Meanwhile Mourinho has warned the rest of the Premier League that veteran Zlatan Ibrahimovic can get even better.
And he praised the Swedish striker for not taking the easier and more lucrative option of moving to China – like Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Oscar – or the Major Soccer League in the US like many of his contemporaries.
Ibrahimovic, 35, has proved he can still cut it at the highest level by plundering 16 goals in all competitions this season and is a serious contender for the Golden Boot award. But Mourinho reckons his new talisman can help himself to even more.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic can get even better, according to Jose Mourinho
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Luke Shaw is closing in on a return from injury
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“I am really happy for him,” he said. “Maybe some people could think ‘top scorer? not at 35-years-old, not any more, because this is the Premier League and not La Liga’.
“But 35 for him is the same as 25, La Liga is the same as the Premier League. He scores goals, plays well, I am really happy for him because he will end his career on his high – not in America or China.
“He’s ending his career at the top. His record is good but he can improve. And he has only one penalty in that total which makes it even more amazing. Normally other guys who are top scorers have a lot of penalties.”
Mourinho has told midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, a target for West Brom and Everton, that he will not stand in his way if he wants to quit United for regular first team football, providing the offer is right for the club.
