Can Man United upset Chelsea at Old Trafford?

Manchester United welcome league leaders Chelsea to Old Trafford this weekend, as United set to get back on track after a disappointing 2-2 draw with West Brom on Monday night.

A 2-2 draw at West Brom wasn’t what Man United needed going into their biggest four weeks of the season. The Red Devils kick things off against Chelsea, before playing neighbours City, Crystal Palace and then Arsenal.

Chelsea has been in fine form this season and sits comfortably at the top of the Premier League table. For United, this is the biggest test for Louis van Gaal as manager of Manchester United. This is also an opportunity to show how he can take on the best teams in the Premier League.

Chelsea will come into Old Trafford fearless, top of the table and coming off of a 6-0 drubbing of Maribor.

Last season saw a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford and a convincing win at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea took four points off of David Moyes’ side.

The emergence of Marouanne Fellaini in the last game in the wake of poor play from Mata and Herrera may have come at a great time, as the Belgian’s size and form could be crucial for United to avoid defeat against the Blues.

Wayne Rooney will serve the final game of his three-match suspension and will be dearly missed. It’s been a very subdued start for Falcao and van Persie who must find their feet on Sunday.

Cesc Fabregas remains the key player for Chelsea and United will need a team effort to hinder his influence on the game especially in the midfield. Eden Hazard is due for a big game and against a very rash Rafael; he could have a field day against the Brazilian, who mustn’t pick up an early card.

Chelsea has so much power and strength that Van Gaal may need to shy away from frail players like Mata and Herrera and Falcao is a must start in such a big game. It’s the biggest game of the season for Diego Costa, who should pounce on a weak United defence.

They’ve been the two most successful English clubs of the 2000’s and hopefully United will make it a real contest. A loss for United would see them 13 points behind Chelsea, through just nine games.

There’s too much talent for another 0-0 at Old Trafford, and if not, United’s defence will see to there being a few goals. If Fabregas and Costa continue their current form Chelsea should win without a doubt.

The Red Devils home form of late is encouraging and they could make a huge statement to pip a win on Sunday, especially without Rooney. Thirteen points is a massive gap after nine games, but frankly United can’t be aiming for first in such a transitional year. On the flip side the Blues have to continue their quest for a title or bust season; it should be a dandy.

LvG claims Chelsea are “another biscuit” compared to Monday’s opponents West Bromwich Albion.

The Dutchman used a phrase from his homeland to explain why United’s performance levels must improve ahead of Sunday’s encounter with Jose Mourinho’s pacesetters at Old Trafford.

“Now we have to play against Chelsea and in the Netherlands they say ‘that is another Kuche’, or another ‘biscuit’. By that I mean another level,” van Gaal told reporters.

“You cannot compare West Bromwich Albion, which I say with great respect as it’s fantastic to play here, with the stadium and the fans. The pitch is fantastic and West Bromwich Albion are also playing a positional game – not only long balls.

“I have great respect for West Bromwich Albion, but Chelsea are at another level and Manchester City are as well. We have to see if we can beat them and after the two matches I can say yes or no.”

Also, one man who is confident United can get the win is Brazilian right-back Rafael Da Silva. Rafael has had a promising start to the season since returning from injury, even if his defensive qualities continue to be questioned.

Rafael believes Manchester United are beginning to bring that fortress feeling back to Old Trafford and hopes it’s a factor that will help the Reds when Chelsea are in town on Sunday.

He believes Chelsea is not invincible, despite their impressive start to the season.

“Everyone is beatable. We have to do our best, of course. They are playing well. We’re playing at Old Trafford though and we’ve been getting results there so they are definitely beatable.

“Football is about results and, when you don’t play well and draw, like on Monday night, of course everyone will speak. But hopefully we can play well against Chelsea and, if we get the result, it would be very positive for the whole team and us.

“We just have to concentrate and do our best, and I hope we can get the result we want.”

Chelsea are likely to be without Diego Costa for the game, while Loic Remy is struggling to be fit after picking up a groin injury during the week.

So who knows, Manchester United might be able to inflict Chelsea’s first defeat of the season.

Louis van Gaal’s men have won the last three matches on home soil against QPR, West Ham and Everton, netting eight goals in the process. A test against the unbeaten league leaders is something Rafael says everyone is looking forward to and he insists anything could happen on the day.

@AnthonyNlebem

Anthony Nlebem