Jose Mourinho admits Chelsea are difficult to catch this season. (Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho admits it will be difficult for Manchester United to catch Chelsea this season and believes Antonio Conte’s ‘defensive’ mentality has been the key difference in the title race.

Chelsea are six points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League, while United, who are in sixth place, trail by 13 points.

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Conte has overtaken Mourinho’s record to become the first Chelsea manager to guide the club to 11 consecutive wins in the Premier League.

And the United manager believes his former side’s defensive stability makes them difficult to beat.


‘It’s very difficult, we have to be honest, and say that it’s very difficult, not just the difference in point but the Chelsea philosophy of play,’ Mourinho told Sky Sports.

Conte guided Chelsea to a 4-0 win over Manchester United in October. (AMA/Getty Images)

‘They score one goal and they win, they defend a lot, they defend well.



‘When they are winning, in the last 20 minutes they bring defenders in, they don’t care what people say, or with what people think, they just want to win.

Conte has secured 11 consecutive league wins with Chelsea. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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‘And because of that I don’t see them losing many points.

‘So I think, it’s mathematically possible but very difficult to happen for us because the distance is considerable.’

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