For a long time Chelsea facing Manchester United represented the new guard against the old, and for a good few years they were the two strongest teams England had to offer – evidenced by the Champions League final played out between them in 2008.
Since then, though, managers have come and gone and Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge, in charge of United just two years after winning the league with Chelsea, adds another dimension to the clash.
Will the fans welcome him? Will his presence in the opposite dugout give his former players an extra boost, after the way things ended between them? Our preview can’t answer those questions, but it can answer some others.
Amazingly, Chelsea haven’t lost against United in any of their last 10 games, in any competition. The last time they did United man Juan Mata was on the scoresheet for Chelsea, but goals from Robin Van Persie, Javier Hernandez and a David Luiz own goal secured the win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at Stamford Bridge, back in October 2012.
The Red Devils and Chelsea finished first and third in the Premier League that season, but both are a little behind the teams leading the league so far this season in terms of quality. With the way it’s shaping up there might only be one Champions League place to share between the two of them come May, so there’s no understating how important this match is.
It’s a difficult one to predict, and it’s definitely not one to be missed.
