Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge this Sunday to face Chelsea in a match which is very important for both sides in their search for European football.
The two clubs have endured many, often title defining matches, over the years as they consistently challenged each other for league titles or cup trophies.
Having won the Premier League seventeen times combined, out of a possible twenty-three seasons (United 13, Chelsea 4), both have had difficult seasons as they sit in positions they are not usually accustomed to in the league table.
Both sides have come a long way from that night in Moscow in the 2008 Champions League final, in a game which United stole victory in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Both clubs have had difficult periods
With Sir Alex Ferguson departing United at the end of the 2012/13 season, United have struggled to reach the levels that the Scot so consistently delivered during his 27-year tenure. Chelsea, on the other hand, have continued their philosophy of hiring and firing managers at the first sign of a dip in results.
It seemed in the return of “the Special One” in Jose Mourinho to the club the season after Ferguson departed, Chelsea would have their man who would remain at the club to fight for the biggest honours for a long time.
After winning the Premier League last season in style, Chelsea have not been able to replicate that kind of form this campaign, therefore, Mourinho was relieved of his duties in December last year and replaced by Guus Hiddink.
Unfamiliar league positions
United currently lie in fifth position but have begun to turn their performance level around relieving pressure on manager Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman has endured a difficult second season at Old Trafford and has faced a supporter’s backlash as they voiced their frustrations and disappointments with their manager.
Chelsea have endured a further fall from grace after last season as they surprisingly sit thirteenth in the league table, losing 7 of their opening fourteen matches. The Blues are a long way from the top and face a real challenge to qualify for European football for next season, something that could prove to be a real financial setback for the club.
With United hitting a good run of form of late, they recorded a 3-0 win at Old Trafford against Stoke City. The Red Devils produced free-flowing football and created a great deal of chances, which is something the Old Trafford faithful have not been blessed with this season, and manager van Gaal will urge his team to continue their form into the weekend and for the rest of the season.
The Blues, however, endured a 0-0 draw with Watford in midweek but will be confident of taking three points from United at the weekend after slowly beginning to turn their results around. The West London side took a goalless draw from Old Trafford back in December last year and beat the red devils last season 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.
United haven’t won at the Bridge since October 2012 when Javier Hernandez scored a late winner in a match which saw the blues reduced to nine-men.