Jose Mourinho has slammed the Premier League for giving Chelsea an easy ride over the Christmas period.

Mourinho's former club, who lead the Premier League by six points, have three games in 10 days over the festive programme.

Manchester United have three fixtures in eight days, while second-placed Liverpool have an even tougher schedule with three in seven.

United boss Mourinho accused the Premier League of favouring Chelsea with the fixture scheduling and deliberately making it harder for the chasing pack.

“The busy period is for some clubs, not for everyone,” said Mourinho.

Mourinho's former club Chelsea are comfortably top at Christmas (
Image:
Darren Walsh)

“If you analyse clubs, the fixtures are chosen to give rest for some and to create problems to others.

“But we are used to it because we're in the Europa League and that is a competition that creates more difficulties – we know that, Southampton know that and Tottenham will find out.”

Mourinho has a fully fit sqaud to choose from with the exception of defender Luke Shaw, who is still unavailable with a groin injury.

Mourinho has a fully fit squad to choose from for Boxing Day - including Wayne Rooney (
Image:
Cavendish Press)
Michael Carrick, arriving for training, is looking to start against Sunderland (
Image:
Cavendish Press)
Phil Jones, seen entering Carrington on Friday, has been in excellent form (
Image:
Cavendish Press)
Paul Pogba, driving in his car to United's AON Training Complex, is available too (
Image:
Cavendish Press)

“It's good for us to have everyone available, but Luke Shaw and he's not far,” said Mourinho.

“Central-defender position we have now all of them, Chris Smalling is back, Eric Bailly is back, Daley Blind is fine, Marcos Rojo is fine.

Mourinho is boosted by the return of Luke Shaw (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

“It's 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're safe.

“We know Bailly is going to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, but for the next three matches we know what we have.”

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