Upset over praise for Conte, Mourinho slams media's double standards

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has slammed the media for showing double standards in its praise of the Antonio Conte-led Chelsea team compared to his own.

The Portuguese manager, who was sacked by Chelsea in December 2015 after a calamitous run of results, claimed that he drew a flurry of flaks for employing largely the similar style of play as Conte during his time at Stamford Bridge.

"I know you like to criticise me. When I was winning titles with Chelsea you were criticising the style of play. At the moment you don't do it," goal.com quoted Mourinho as saying.

When quizzed how far away the United were from being the best team in the country, the 54-year-old said, "Far... because the best team, in the Premier League, is the team with more points."

However, Mourinho admitted that 18 points difference between sixth-placed United and leaders Chelsea was evidence of the large gulf that currently exists between the two sides.

"Now, to be the best counter-attacking team in the country is not to be criticised; it is an amazing thing.The best team at the end of the season is the one who is champions and we are far from it. This season Chelsea are a much better team than us," he said.

Going into today's Premier League clash against Chelsea, Mourinho believes Conte's side are much better prepared for the game than United.

"We have important injuries and we do not have so many players to rotate. In some positions we have no choice. Of course, [Chelsea] are much better prepared for the game than us," Mourinho added.

While United have 15 wins from 30 games they played so far, Chelsea are comfortably standing at the top of the table with 24 wins from 31 games.