Manchester United vs Chelsea: Master meets his apprentice as both sides are in contrasting fortunes and directions

Suddenly Manchester United vs Chelsea doesn’t look like a 6 pointer game with heavy stakes. Over the last decade both these sides have played games which has played a pivotal role in the final destination of the Premier League trophy. The Special One is meeting his old mentor. It has got all the makings of a mini classic, and make no mistake it can well turn out to be. But the contrasting fortunes of both sides are well evident.

With a superlative transfer window having boosted the side from being small horses in last season’s title race to massive favourites Chelsea have come a long way. On the other hand after a disastrous last season doubts and knives are out on the red devils even after a massive outlay in the summer. After the early season form and having the squad they possess anything less than the title will be a massive let down for the blues while for all the claims of a title race Old Trafford will be a happy place with a Champions League place.

Louis Van Gaal asked for three months to be judged. And after three months having a very kind fixture list United will be disappointed with the returns so far. For all the summer outlay deficiencies are evident in the back line. While a burgeoning injury list hasn’t helped matters it remains a surprise why didn’t United buy a commanding world class centre back. The capitulation at Leicester and the errors at the Hawthorns reflect that.

United need to start picking up points fast and go on a winning streak. Louis Van Gaal’s honeymoon period has certainly ended and with United due to face Chelsea, Manchester Cty, Arsenal and Liverpool by mid December all the talk of philosophy must be translated into points. These are the games which make and break United players and managers as David Moyes will testify. United’s big players must step up now. United have been lucky their top four rivals are yet to get going this season, and the race for top four will be alive till the last moments of the season.

On the other hand being rejuvenated by signings of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas Jose Mourinho’s men are flying and are already 10 points ahead of United. While there is uncertainty over fitness and availability of their strikers ahead of Sunday’s clash Chelsea will go to Old Trafford full of confidence and momentum. It will need United players playing the game of their lives to beat Jose Mourinho’s men.

-Ricky Jana [Ricky is a Football Analyst with Sportz Cosmos. You can reach him at the gmail id: sportzcosmos]