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Chelsea's extended break likely to leave Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal angry as top four battle with Liverpool rages on

Mourinho allowed the champions four days off ahead of Liverpool game

Tom Sheen,Tom Dutton
Friday 08 May 2015 10:03 BST
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(Getty Images)

Chelsea's title-winning squad were given the option of four days off ahead of their Premier League fixture against Liverpool.

The Blues sealed a first title since 2010 with a narrow victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday with three games to spare and Friday marks their first official session back following the win, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Although some members of the first team went in on Thursday to do light individual sessions to work on their fitness, the majority of the squad will have only two days' preparation ahead of Liverpool's trip to Stamford Bridge.

The move will likely leave Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal questioning his good friend Jose Mourinho, with Liverpool set to travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

After losing three matches in a row, United are now just four points above their bitter rivals with another three games remaining. United have just one game left at home this season, against in-form Arsenal next week.

They face Crystal Palace on Sunday and travel to relegation battlers Hull City on the final day of the season.

Manchester United and Liverpool are still battling for a top four place (Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers' team, face Chelsea, Crystal Palace and are away to Stoke, three teams who have nothing left to play for this season.

On Wednesday, Eden Hazard posted a picture to his Instagram account of himself relaxing by the sea in an unknown location, more than likely abroad.

With three games to play, the Reds retain faint hopes of bridging the four-point gap to Manchester United, who travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday, and finishing inside the top four.

But Nemanja Matic said earlier this week the Blues will not rest on their laurels after adding the league crown to their Capital One Cup win earlier this season.

"Of course we don't have the pressure of needing to win the league anymore, we are first whatever, but we will play seriously and try to enjoy the games we have left," he said.

"We have done a great job this season and we want to carry on like that until the end."

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