Mourinho sees the game at Stamford Bridge as the most important match of United’s season

José Mourinho wants his return to Chelsea with Manchester United to be postponed because of his new club’s Europa League commitments.

It is understood that Mourinho is unhappy with the date for the Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge, which is likely to take place on Sunday October 23, because his players would have less than 72 hours to recover from playing in Europe, whereas Chelsea are likely to have been resting for more than a week.

Mourinho regards his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked by the club for the second time last year as the most important match of United’s season at this stage and wants time to fully prepare his players.

The Portuguese has complained to the hierarchy at Old