This is a strange one.
It’s been a rough few weeks for Manchester United. They’re 11 points behind Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title after losing the derby at Old Trafford, while they have just been dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Bristol City.
It probably hasn’t helped, then, that the club have been lambasted for an article published on their official website detailing how Jose Mourinho’s side have the toughest festive programme out of all the Premier League clubs.
The article, which was spotted by ESPN, claims that United are entering a rough time in terms of fixture congestion, using research to show how they have the least non-matchdays over the Christmas period.
“Our research shows that Manchester United have a harder time of it than our rivals towards the top of the table.”
With just six non-matchdays, United have three less than Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham. Chelsea have two more, while Liverpool and Manchester City have one.
https://twitter.com/Makaveli2B/status/943851295856787456
In fairness, United do have a hectic period coming up, during which they will play four times between December 23rd and New Year’s Day. The research for the article shows that the Red Devils will clock up considerable mileage on their travels, too, including 288 miles for that four-game run in the space of nine days.
The articles continues by comparing United’s programme to their rivals.
“Chelsea’s matches are nicely spaced out to give them a total of eight days between games, while Liverpool and Manchester City have seven. The reigning champions have three days between their second and third games, unlike the one to be experienced by United and 14 other Premier League sides. A short trip to Arsenal on 3 January gives the Blues and the Gunners a little more grace.”
While United certainly have to negotiate a chaotic match-heavy schedule in the weeks to come, many people on social media have pointed out that Mourinho’s side enjoyed a more straightforward start to the season compared to others. United didn’t have to face one of the other ‘top six’ sides until their eighth game.
Anyway, isn’t a potentially busy Christmas period one of the reasons why United have invested so much money in signing players to add depth to the first-team?
https://twitter.com/My_Name_Is_K/status/943851397489020928
https://twitter.com/AlexEmbers/status/943858258493747200
— Erik the Nool (@nool_mcfc) December 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/DaraghLynch1/status/943862798555271168
"Our research shows that Manchester United have a harder time of it than our rivals towards the top of the table." This is embarrassing @ManUtd https://t.co/guqAtkq5L2
— Max Bentley (@MaxBentley1) December 21, 2017
