Manchester United v Chelsea: David Moyes promises United will prove the doubters wrong

First home match for Moyes sees Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side visit Old Trafford

David Moyes said he wasn’t nervous before his first game (Reuters)

Manchester United manager David Moyes expects the Red Devils to retain their tradition of being at their best when the doubters are out in force.

United face Chelsea in Moyes' first Premier League game at Old Trafford since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson.

Despite opening their campaign with an eye-catching 4-1 win at Swansea, and seeing major rivals Manchester City surprisingly beaten at Cardiff onSunday, there remains an air of negativity surrounding the club.

With no new signings and Wayne Rooney's future remaining uncertain, many outsiders wonder if United will have the durability to resist a challenge from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in particular.

Moyes expects the response to be a positive one.

"We are getting written off quite often," said the Scot.

"In the main, when that is the case, this club tends to say 'we'll show you'.

"It is in my nature. It was definitely in the previous manager's nature. And the supporters here understand that as well."

That United have been able to post what they claim to be a British record 63,000 season ticket sales underlines that their fans remain solidly behind Moyes.

And veteran defender Rio Ferdinand has been around long enough to be convinced about United's abilities, regardless of how the short term results over their hazardous start to the campaign turn out.

"That run of fixtures is good for the media. It makes a story," said Ferdinand.

"When I first looked at them I thought it is a tough start for the new manager. But it is an exciting start too.

"If we are in a good position after these first six games, the confidence will be great. But it is too early for them to have any major impact on how the season as a whole is going to go.

"We always say you don't find out where you are until the Christmas period, so the first six games won't have a great bearing on what happens over the remainder of the season.

"Ideally, you would like to start well. But if you don't, it is a lot more important to finish strongly."

Rooney is expected to start against the club that have already had two bids for him turned down and are expected to lodge a third tomorrow.

Full-back Rafael is definitely missing with a hamstring complaint.

PA