Jose Mourinho suggests Manchester United get rough ride from critics

Jose Mourinho believes his Manchester United side are being judged by different standards to other teams.

Manager Mourinho has come in for criticism for the style of United's play in recent performances, particularly the goalless draw with Liverpool and narrow wins over Benfica and Tottenham.

Writing in his programme notes for Tuesday's return clash with Benfica at Old Trafford, Mourinho addressed a pointed remark at fans, saying: "I hope that you enjoy the game more than some of you did against Tottenham."

At his press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Chelsea, Mourinho weighed in on the subject again, although he insisted he did not want to stoke any more fires.

Mourinho was prompted to hold his press conference a day earlier than normal because he is scheduled to face accusations of tax fraud in Spain on Friday.

The Spanish authorities opened a case against the 54-year-old in June for alleged tax evasion during his spell as Real Madrid boss. His representatives said in June that Mourinho had fulfilled all his tax obligations in Spain.

Mourinho insisted it would not be a disruption ahead of one of the biggest games in the season, saying: "It's just a change of normal training time because I cannot be (here) in the morning."

Mourinho will make his fourth trip back to Stamford Bridge as an opposition manager, having previously faced his old club once with Inter Milan and twice last season with United.

Neither trip last term was a happy occasion for United, with Chelsea racing to a 4-0 win in the Premier League and also winning 1-0 in the FA Cup.

Mourinho said:

Mourinho is not expecting any of his injured players to be available on Sunday, although he has not totally ruled out the possibility.

"We have to wait a little bit, we still have Friday and Saturday," he said. "I'm not very optimistic but I don't want to lie."