It might seem silly to compare Manchester United and Chelsea considering that the Blues are a massive thirteen points ahead of the Red Devils in the Premier League and we're not even into 2017 yet.
However, United are on the up, as demonstrated so brilliantly by Mourinho's men on Boxing Day as they thumped Sunderland 3-1 in an impressive display. This month, United have won five of their six games, drawing the other to Everton early in December.
It seems, finally, this United side is beginning to gel. Dare I say it, but they are looking more than just that - they are looking like potential title challengers.
So yes, Chelsea are top of the table and yes, they have just won twelve in a row. Most importantly however, the Blues can still learn a lot from their rivals around them, none less so than United.
Here are three things that Chelsea could learn from Mourinho's new side...
Europe Makes Life Difficult
If there is one thing Chelsea can learn from both United and themselves, is that Europe makes life difficult. The Blues are flying in the Premier League, but have had little else to worry about fixture-wise, especially since being knocked out the EFL Cup at the hands of London rivals West Ham United back in early October.
United on the other hand, remain in all competitions, and have a chock-a-block fixture list due to their participation in the Europa League. While their results on the continent have been hit-and-miss, it is somewhat understandable given the amount of new faces at the club trying to bond amongst busy schedule.
Europe makes life a lot harder, and having nothing else on your calendar is certainly a big advantage when it comes to winning in the league. Chelsea must make sure they capitalise on it but equally importantly - prepare for when the Champions League returns next season.
Rotation
Building upon that point, Chelsea should take note that when they return to Europe next year, they will need to rotate their squad - much like United have this season - in order to avoid injuries and fatigue.
The Red Devils have done a good job of balancing their youth - Jesse Lingard, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Marcus Rashford - with their superstars - Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan - when playing in Europe and other cup competitions.
It is an integral part of why the club still remains in all club competitions, whilst managing to compete in the Premier League. Admittedly, Chelsea may not be too concerned now, but they certainly will going forward and into next year.
Form Counts
Something Chelsea have been guilty of, maybe less so this year than is seasons past, is playing players for their names rather than their form.
Think of Fernando Torres, Andrei Shevchenko and Juan Sebastian Veron. Even members of the current squad can count themselves fortunate to be still in the starting line-up at times during their Stamford Bridge career. Last season, Thibaut Courtois continually kept his place despite his struggles, as did Gary Cahill at the back and Eden Hazard going forward.
The Blues don't want to fall into that trap this season again and should take a leaf out of United's book in that respect, who have discovered an unlikely centre-half partnership of Marcos Rojo and forgotten man Phil Jones through a run of good form.