Jose Mourinho: 'Manchester United will not catch leaders Chelsea'

Jose Mourinho watches on during the EFL Cup semi-final between Hull City and Manchester United on January 26, 2017
© SilverHub
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho claims that Chelsea have built up an unassailable lead at the top of the Premier League, thanks in large to 'a very good defence'.

Jose Mourinho has again stressed that Manchester United are out of the Premier League title race, despite seeing his side prolong their unbeaten run to 16 games.

The Red Devils beat Watford 2-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday to temporarily move into the top five, courtesy of goals from Juan Mata and star man Anthony Martial.

United soon dropped back down to sixth following Liverpool's win over Tottenham Hotspur, though, and Mourinho does not expect former club Chelsea - who have a nine-point lead over the chasing pack with a game in hand - to drop too many points between now and the end of the season.

Asked if United have any hope of catching the Blues, Mourinho told Sky Sports News: "Honestly I don't think so. Why? Because Chelsea are a very good defensive team, they defend very well and defend with lots of players, very good players, and are very well organised.

"I think in this situation, a very defensive team wins the title with counter-attack goals, set pieces goals, and individual goals from talented players. So I don't think they're going to let it slip. But football is football, you never know."

United, whose last league defeat came at the hands of runaway leaders Chelsea in October, do not return to top-flight action until March 4 due to cup commitments.

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is congratulated by manager Jose Mourinho during his side's Premier League clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford on November 19, 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Chelsea25193352183460
2Manchester CityMan City25164551292252
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs25148346182850
4Arsenal25155554282650
5Liverpool25147454302449
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd25139338211748
7Everton25118640271341
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2510783431337
9Stoke CityStoke258893036-632
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2595113443-932
11Southampton2586112831-330
12Burnley2593132736-930
13Watford2586112942-1330
14Bournemouth2575133549-1426
15Swansea CitySwansea2573153154-2324
16Middlesbrough25410111927-822
17Leicester CityLeicester2556142443-1921
18Hull City2555152249-2720
19Crystal Palace2554163246-1419
20Sunderland2554162446-2219