I was criticised for my tactical approach at Chelsea, now it's art: Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has claimed the tactical approach he honed over two spells at Chelsea is now an “art” adopted by Premier League teams.

The manager was sacked for a second time at Stamford Bridge after overseeing nine defeats in Chelsea’s opening 16 games last season, with the Blues currently nine points clear at the top of the Premier League under Antonio Conte.

Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City saw Mourinho’s Manchester United extend their unbeaten run to 15 games, though remain sixth and two points off fourth-placed Arsenal.

Mourinho was happy with the performance of his players at the King Power Stadium and noted a perceived trend in applauded tactics in England’s top flight.

“My team is playing very well,” Mourinho told reporters.

“But for many, many years in my career – especially in this country when my teams were ruthless and when my teams were phenomenal defensively and very good on the counter-attack – I listened, week after week, how that was not enough in spite of winning the title three times.

“It looks like, this season, to be phenomenal defensively and in counter-attack is art, so it is a big change in England.

“But I don’t want to change how we play.”