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What: Barclays Premier League Matchday 21
Who: Manchester United (38pts, 3rd) vs Chelsea (42pts, 2nd)
When: Sunday 11 January, 16:00 GMT
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
The Old Trafford side are an established club with pedigree in every competition they have entered. Their marketing deals are synonymous with their success as they tied up back-to-back Premier League titles and a European Cup to boot, while fans from London to Laos, and Abuja to Ankara, all tuned in to cheer.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are a relatively new heavyweight in European football. They are also one of the richest clubs in the world as they are bankrolled by a wealthy Russian sponsor. Their successes have (for the main part) all been recent and the transformation under Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich has arguably had a far greater impact on the Stamford Bridge side than the influence of Ted Drake in the 1950s, although both creeds were poles apart.
It is testament to both sides that other clubs have used either Manchester United or Chelsea as a model for their own team. There are often parallels drawn between Middlesbrough and Arsenal, but Gareth Southgate's reliance on local youth and promotions from the club's academy is reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson's class of '92: Ryan Giggs; David Beckham; Nicky Butt and Gary Neville all lifted the FA Youth Cup that year and went on to become full England internationals. Likewise, Stewart Downing, David Wheater and Lee Cattermole (now at Wigan) all rose through 'Boro's ranks.
Chelsea have a new fiscal rival and, for the first time in Premier League history, Roman Abramovich was outbid for a player last summer as Brazilian forward Robinho was transferred to what the newspaper press dubbed 'Middle Eastlands' for a British record fee of £32.5million. With rumours that the Citizens have been sniffing around the likes of Roque Santa Cruz (Daily Mail); Michael Owen (The Express); Adriano (The Mirror); Kolo Toure (Daily Star); and Mikel Arteta (The People), it appears that Manchester City are going to adopt a similar recruitment policy to the Pensioners: buying well-known professionals as opposed to creating and grooming your own.
Building a competitive rivalry
In the pre-Abramovich era Chelsea and United always had other games that played on their grudgery. The Mancs had Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City that piqued their pride, and the Blues too enjoyed a two-way hostility toward the Gunners, but more so with neighbour Fulham.
The arrogance of a newly-installed and cocky Champions League-winning manager in Jose Mourinho - together with top-class signings such as Michael Essien and Shaun Wright Phillips in 2005, and then Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole, Salomon Kalou, and John Obi Mikel in 2006 - were seen as a threat that would destabalise United's ability to conquer.
One key performer for Chelsea thus far this season has been John Obi, but he could have easily been wearing a different kit come Sunday. In 2005 Manchester United offered Norwegian club Lyn Oslo £4million in order to buy their Nigerian midfielder, Mikel. The deal was struck, it was announced on the Red Devil's website, and Mikel even appeared in a press conference with red shirt in tow, expressing his delight.
However, around the same time, Chelsea countered United's claims that Mikel was their, and stated the player had even trained in front of Jose Mourinho. After a long-drawn out saga Chelsea paid £4million to Lyn Oslo, and £12million to United and Ferguson lost out on a prime target.
In the absence of Michael Essien, and in the wake of the departure of Claude Makelele, Mikel will again have a crucial role to play in a position that begs for discipline.
Super Sunday
The media live for these fixtures and the marketing and advertising for such an affair is prepped as soon as the fixture list is announced.
They seldom live up to the hype, but should United claim victories in both their games in hand then that would only lag a point behind league leaders Liverpool. Chelsea's recent form has been a bag of mixed sorts, they are dropping points and relinquishing leads, although their away record has been solid.
United have not conceded a goal in the Premier League since Arsenal defeated them 2-1 at the Emirates, and their rearguard will be bolstered with the return of key defenders Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
07 Jan (Carling Cup) v Derby County (A) LOST 1-0
04 Jan (FA Cup) v Southampton (A) WON 3-0
29 Dec (Premier League) v Middlesbrough (A) WON 1-0
26 Dec (Premier League) v Stoke City (A) WON 1-0
21 Dec (Club World Cup) v Liga Deportiva (N) WON 1-0
Chelsea
03 Jan (FA Cup) v Southend (H) DREW 1-1
28 Dec (Premier League) v Fulham (A) DREW 2-2
26 Dec (Premier League) v West Bromwich Albion (H) WON 2-0
22 Dec (Premier League) v Everton (A) DREW 0-0
14 Dec (Premier League) v West Ham United (N) DREW 1-1
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra both return from four game absences. The former had a back complaint keeping him at bay while the latter was serving suspension.
Squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Possebon, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney, Welbeck.
Possible Starting XI: Van der Sar - Neville; Ferdinand; Vidic; Evra - Park; Fletcher; Carrick - Ronaldo; Rooney; Berbatov.
Chelsea
John Terry returns from a three game suspension. Michael Ballack is also available.
Florent Malouda is sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Squad: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Mancienne, A Cole, J Cole, Mikel, Deco, Mineiro, Belletti, Ballack, Lampard, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Stoch, Carvalho, Di Santo.
Possible Starting XI: Cech - Bosingwa; Terry; Carvalho; A Cole - Mikel - Ballack; Lampard; Deco - Anelka; Drogba.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United
His playmaking credentials could be key to his side's attacking impetus and an interesting battle tomorrow could develop between Michael Carrick and John Obi.
Chelsea
He's scored 11 goals already this term and Frank Lampard will be looking to add to that tally on Sunday. His most recent goal against United arrived in the Champions League final last May.
PREDICTION
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
Who: Manchester United (38pts, 3rd) vs Chelsea (42pts, 2nd)
When: Sunday 11 January, 16:00 GMT
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester
The Old Trafford side are an established club with pedigree in every competition they have entered. Their marketing deals are synonymous with their success as they tied up back-to-back Premier League titles and a European Cup to boot, while fans from London to Laos, and Abuja to Ankara, all tuned in to cheer.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are a relatively new heavyweight in European football. They are also one of the richest clubs in the world as they are bankrolled by a wealthy Russian sponsor. Their successes have (for the main part) all been recent and the transformation under Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich has arguably had a far greater impact on the Stamford Bridge side than the influence of Ted Drake in the 1950s, although both creeds were poles apart.
It is testament to both sides that other clubs have used either Manchester United or Chelsea as a model for their own team. There are often parallels drawn between Middlesbrough and Arsenal, but Gareth Southgate's reliance on local youth and promotions from the club's academy is reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson's class of '92: Ryan Giggs; David Beckham; Nicky Butt and Gary Neville all lifted the FA Youth Cup that year and went on to become full England internationals. Likewise, Stewart Downing, David Wheater and Lee Cattermole (now at Wigan) all rose through 'Boro's ranks.
Chelsea have a new fiscal rival and, for the first time in Premier League history, Roman Abramovich was outbid for a player last summer as Brazilian forward Robinho was transferred to what the newspaper press dubbed 'Middle Eastlands' for a British record fee of £32.5million. With rumours that the Citizens have been sniffing around the likes of Roque Santa Cruz (Daily Mail); Michael Owen (The Express); Adriano (The Mirror); Kolo Toure (Daily Star); and Mikel Arteta (The People), it appears that Manchester City are going to adopt a similar recruitment policy to the Pensioners: buying well-known professionals as opposed to creating and grooming your own.
Building a competitive rivalry
In the pre-Abramovich era Chelsea and United always had other games that played on their grudgery. The Mancs had Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City that piqued their pride, and the Blues too enjoyed a two-way hostility toward the Gunners, but more so with neighbour Fulham.
The arrogance of a newly-installed and cocky Champions League-winning manager in Jose Mourinho - together with top-class signings such as Michael Essien and Shaun Wright Phillips in 2005, and then Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole, Salomon Kalou, and John Obi Mikel in 2006 - were seen as a threat that would destabalise United's ability to conquer.
One key performer for Chelsea thus far this season has been John Obi, but he could have easily been wearing a different kit come Sunday. In 2005 Manchester United offered Norwegian club Lyn Oslo £4million in order to buy their Nigerian midfielder, Mikel. The deal was struck, it was announced on the Red Devil's website, and Mikel even appeared in a press conference with red shirt in tow, expressing his delight.
However, around the same time, Chelsea countered United's claims that Mikel was their, and stated the player had even trained in front of Jose Mourinho. After a long-drawn out saga Chelsea paid £4million to Lyn Oslo, and £12million to United and Ferguson lost out on a prime target.
In the absence of Michael Essien, and in the wake of the departure of Claude Makelele, Mikel will again have a crucial role to play in a position that begs for discipline.
Super Sunday
The media live for these fixtures and the marketing and advertising for such an affair is prepped as soon as the fixture list is announced.
They seldom live up to the hype, but should United claim victories in both their games in hand then that would only lag a point behind league leaders Liverpool. Chelsea's recent form has been a bag of mixed sorts, they are dropping points and relinquishing leads, although their away record has been solid.
United have not conceded a goal in the Premier League since Arsenal defeated them 2-1 at the Emirates, and their rearguard will be bolstered with the return of key defenders Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United
07 Jan (Carling Cup) v Derby County (A) LOST 1-0
04 Jan (FA Cup) v Southampton (A) WON 3-0
29 Dec (Premier League) v Middlesbrough (A) WON 1-0
26 Dec (Premier League) v Stoke City (A) WON 1-0
21 Dec (Club World Cup) v Liga Deportiva (N) WON 1-0
Chelsea
03 Jan (FA Cup) v Southend (H) DREW 1-1
28 Dec (Premier League) v Fulham (A) DREW 2-2
26 Dec (Premier League) v West Bromwich Albion (H) WON 2-0
22 Dec (Premier League) v Everton (A) DREW 0-0
14 Dec (Premier League) v West Ham United (N) DREW 1-1
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra both return from four game absences. The former had a back complaint keeping him at bay while the latter was serving suspension.
Squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Possebon, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Berbatov, Rooney, Welbeck.
Possible Starting XI: Van der Sar - Neville; Ferdinand; Vidic; Evra - Park; Fletcher; Carrick - Ronaldo; Rooney; Berbatov.
Chelsea
John Terry returns from a three game suspension. Michael Ballack is also available.
Florent Malouda is sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
Squad: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Mancienne, A Cole, J Cole, Mikel, Deco, Mineiro, Belletti, Ballack, Lampard, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Stoch, Carvalho, Di Santo.
Possible Starting XI: Cech - Bosingwa; Terry; Carvalho; A Cole - Mikel - Ballack; Lampard; Deco - Anelka; Drogba.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United
His playmaking credentials could be key to his side's attacking impetus and an interesting battle tomorrow could develop between Michael Carrick and John Obi.
Chelsea
He's scored 11 goals already this term and Frank Lampard will be looking to add to that tally on Sunday. His most recent goal against United arrived in the Champions League final last May.
PREDICTION
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
