Jose Mourinho’s job has got even tougher at Manchester United after Champions League draw sparks fixtures headache

Jose Mourinho has been handed a fixture headache after Manchester United’s daunting Champions League schedule was confirmed on Thursday night.

The United manager, who is fighting to turn the club’s season around after back-to-back defeats, faces key games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool directly before or after the three most pivotal ties of the group stage.

Mourinho’s side were drawn alongside Juventus, Valencia and Young Boys in Group H. And back-to-back games against Italian champions Juve will be preceded by a visit to Stamford Bridge on October 20 and the derby against Pep Guardiola’s Champions at Old Trafford on November 11.

United’s final group game - away to Valencia on December 12 - is followed by a trip to Anfield to play Liverpool.

United’s Champions League draw looked perilous enough after being paired with Juve, which will see them reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo, and Spanish giants Valencia. But it has been made even more difficult with Mourinho having to balance his European ambitions with such pivotal games domestically.

​Mourinho was said to be angered by the Premier League scheduling of his side’s games that followed away ties in Europe last year.

That is not so much of a concern this term, with November’s derby taking place on a Sunday, following the Wednesday clash with Juve in Turin.

Meanwhile the game with Chelsea is scheduled for 12.30 on the Saturday, which will also provide an extra rest period before Max Allegri’s side head to Old Trafford on Tuesday October 23.

United kick off their European campaign away to Young Boys on September 19 and follow it with a 3pm game at home against Wolves.

The start of November looks particularly testing for Mourinho, whose position has come under intense scrutiny following defeats to Brighton and Tottenham.

United face Bournemouth and Juventus away, as well the Manchester derby in the space of nine days.