Manchester United groans about 'fixture congestion' on official website

Manchester United grumbled in an article on the club's official website that it has an unfair share of matches over the Christmas period.

Club journalist Adam Marshall wrote Monday that the 13-time Premier League winner has a "harder time of it than our rivals towards the top of the table," also arguing that an extra fixture was "crowbarred" into United's schedule.

The article lists the following as evidence that things are unusually difficult for the Red Devils:

• United has just six rest days during the Christmas Break, fewer than any other Premier League club.
• Chelsea's fixture list is "nicely spaced out" and more forgiving, with a short trip to Arsenal on the agenda.
• Chelsea has three days off between its second and third matches, while United has just one.
• This weekend's round trip to and from Leicester amounts to 288 miles, which is "considerably more" than Boxing Day opponent Burnley.
• United has a "quick turnaround" between the Dec. 30 clash against Southampton and the New Year's Day kick-off at Everton.
• Antonio Valencia's hamstring injury is proof of fatigue.

Jose Mourinho's side avoided further congestion by losing to Bristol City in League Cup on Wednesday. It's currently 11 points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table.