Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho explains why Chelsea are set for title: This has changed

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Jose Mourinho feels title glory is only possible without testing youngsters - as proven by Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho: Luke Shaw gave a solid perfomance

Antonio Conte's side has remained largely consistent throughout the campaign.

Since changing to their 3-4-3 system in October, the starting XI's hardly changed, offering Chelsea's younger players little game time.

The Blues' lack of European football means only senior stars have been put to the sword at Stamford Bridge, who have been able to handle the pressure.

Jose MourinhoGETTY

Jose Mourinho's had to play youngsters regularly at Manchester United due to their clogged schedule

That is in some contrast to last season when Chelsea struggled under Jose Mourinho where players of various ages featured.

At Manchester United this term, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial have all been named by the Portuguese regularly.

However, Chelsea are 18 points and four places ahead of United in the table, and Mourinho admits they can't close the gap when youngsters are not being pressurised elsewhere.

"You go to other clubs and you say: ‘Young players are playing and being developed’, but what are the responsibilities playing for those teams? What do these teams demand from the youngsters? What pressure is there?

"There are contradictions. So if the young player comes and definitely stays in the team forever, it is because they are ready to perform at the high level, to keep the stability, to cope with the responsibility, and there are not many like this."

Chelsea travel to United next Sunday (4pm), although Conte is expected to name as strong a line-up as ever, which could see the likes of top prospects Zouma and Loftus-Cheek miss out once again.

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