Over the last eight years this fixture has been one of the defining games of the season, deciding the destination of the Premier League title. In some ways tomorrow's game is no different. It will go some way to deciding where the Premier League trophy will reside come May - the blue or the red half of Manchester. It definitely will not be travelling south to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's patchy form under Andre Villas Boas means that the Blues are glancing anxiously back over their shoulders at Aresnal and Newcastle, who are hunting them down in the race to claim the final Champions' League place.

Chelsea are unbeaten since the start of the year but their performances have been patchy. The Blues were outplayed by Swansea for long periods in their last match and needed an injury time own goal to scrap a draw with them on Tuesday night. Ashley Cole's sending off in that game rules him out of tomorrow's clash and gives manager Andre Villas Boas more selection heanaches in defence. After that lucky point Petr Cech was forced to admit that any lingering hopes of regaining the title had been dashed.

John Terry has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week but his knee injury will keep him off the front and back pages on Monday morning and  prevent any dilemmas for Manchester United over shaking hands with the now deposed England captain. He missed the draw with Swansea and has been unable to train all week so his place in the heart of defence is up for grabs. It is likely to come down to whether Villas Boas keeps the faith and belief that he has shown in  David Luiz or decides to risk an unwanted gift.

It seems that Roman Abramovich has learned nothing from his purchases of Andrei Shevchenko and Fernando Torres on the advice of his advisors. Rumours emanating from Stamford Bridge suggest that new signing Gary Cahill was not bought at the request of Andre Villas Boas and that is the reason he has failed to start since his £8. million transfer from Bolton last month. Terry's knee injury may force the manager to play Chelsea's latest unwanted player.

If he does make his Chelsea debut, it will be a daunting game to start off his Blues career. He is likely to face a fit again Wayne Rooney who is back after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Nani also returns to the squad after a two game absence. Sir Alex Ferguson will also be able to call upon the services of long term absentees Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley. Young has been out for six weeks with a knee injury while Cleverley has been absent since injuring an ankle at Goodison Park back in October.

The Manchester United goal keeping quandry has also been put on hold. Both David de Dea and Anders Lindegaard missed the comfortable mid week victory over Stoke as both suffered injuries within an hour of each other in training on Monday. Ben Amos was handed his first Premier League start on Tuesday night.  De Gea has recovered from that knock but Lindegaard suffered ankle ligament damage that will keep him out for four to six weeks. It means De Gea is likely to start tomorrow despite the criticism of his performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup loss, with Amos on the bench.

If the run of results and poor form isn't enough pressure on the young manager's shoulders then the rumoured return of Jose Mourinho is sure to give Andre Villas Boas some nightmares. The figure of his former boss has cast a long shadow over Stamford Bridge since his abrupt departure in September 2007 and speaking earlier Villas Boas admitted that the potential return of the Special One to England would haunt the managers of a number of Premier League clubs, including himself but he added that he would be in charge of Chelsea next season.

He also admitted that his age is an issue and that he consults his players on certain aspects of training and performances. The 34 year old is younger than striker Didier Drogba and only a few months older than vice captain Frank Lampard. One bright spark amid the January gloom for Villas Boas has been the return to fitness of midfielder Michael Essien and he is improving with every minute he plays.His presence in midfield should give his teammates some reassurance as doubts remain over Frank Lampard's recovery from a calf injury.

United have failed to win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for the last ten years but they need three points to keep the pressure on their neighbours, whose victory at home to Fulham sent them three points clear at the top of the table. It may not be the season defining clash of bygone seasons but Chelsea will be determined to have their say on the destiny of this season's title.

Form Guide

Chelsea: DLWWDD

Manchester United: WLLWWW

Team News

Chelsea

Ashley Cole is suspended after picking up a red card in Tuesday's draw with Swansea. Captain John Terry is set to miss out with a knee injury. John Obi Mikel and Ramires are still out with hamstring and knee problems. Frank Lampard could make a return after missing the last two games with a calf injury.

Manchester United

Wayne Rooney and Nani return to the squad after missing the last two games with ankle and foot respectively. Ashley Young also returns after six weeks out with a knee injury and Tom Cleverley returns from a long term absence with an ankle injury picked up in October. David de Gea returns after missing the victory over Stoke but Anders Lindegaard will be out for four to six weeks with an ankle injury.

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