UK Edition
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho accuses Premier League of handing Chelsea 'advantage' in row over Christmas fixture list
Jose Mourinho has led a chorus of dismay among Chelsea’s title rivals about the festive fixture schedule after accusing the Premier League of “choosing to give rest for some and to create problems for others”.
Premier League leaders Chelsea play three games in 10 days whereas Manchester United, Manchester City and Spurs play three matches in eight days and Liverpool have three fixtures in seven days.
Chelsea – who are six points clear in the title race and have no European football to contend with this term – also have longer rest periods between matches and comparatively short distances to travel whereas Arsenal, whose manager Arsène Wenger has also denounced the schedule, play two games in three days at the start of the new year, like Watford and Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Southampton face three games in just six days.
Mourinho did not name Chelsea but it was clear the United manager had his former club in mind as he launched a fresh attack on the fixture list. The Portuguese has already complained publicly this season about the scheduling of United’s Premier League matches either side of Europa League ties.
“The busy period is for some clubs, not for everyone,” Mourinho said. “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 the Europa League is a competition that creates more difficulties.
“We know that, Southampton know that, Tottenham will know that later. It’s very difficult for us but it’s more of the same.”
Wenger echoed Mourinho’s sentiments. “It’s a bit surprising this year because I don’t completely understand the organisation of the fixtures this season,” said the Arsenal manager. “Last week, after the Champions League, we played two games so that’s three games a week. This week we have eight days without a game. After that, some teams play on the 26th and the first so they have a complete week’s break over Christmas which is unusual.
“Then, suddenly, you play on the first and then the third, just 48 hours later. I don’t know whether it’s the television companies or the Premier League who have decided that, but it’s completely unusual. It looks less congested than it did before.”
The Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp, said: “Would I like to change? Yes. Can I? No. So why should I think about it. Somebody decided this, I’m not sure who did but maybe you have to ask him.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho has said Morgan Schneiderlin has asked to leave Old Trafford and admitted he will not stand in the France midfielder’s way if an acceptable offer is forthcoming.
The Daily Telegraph revealed this week that West Bromwich Albion had made an £18million offer for Schneiderlin, which was confirmed by the Midlands club’s manager Tony Pulis on Friday, although they face stiff competition from Everton for his signature.
Asked if Schneiderlin had requested to leave Old Trafford, Mourinho said: “Yes. Great professional, fantastic boy, very honest, very open and opens his heart a couple of times. My answer is simple: if he’s playing regular with me I have the right to say no way. If he’s not playing regular I have no right to tell a player that wants to be happy – to say to a player you’re going nowhere.
“My answer was, ‘If the offer is right and our board thinks that the offer is a good offer in relation to the quality of a very good player like Morgan, I would not stop him to go’.”