Manchester United vs Chelsea: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

Louis van Gaal of Bayern Muenchen and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid smile prior to the Franz Beckenbauer Farewell match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Real Madrid (Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho will be looking to improve on an already remarkable record against Manchester United when his side travels to Old Trafford.

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Mourinho first wreaked misery on United when his Porto side famously knocked them out of the Champions League in 2004.

Mourinho has faced United while manager of Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, and his record against English football’s most decorated team is impressive; in 18 games, Mourinho has been the losing manager just twice.

The victor in eight of those games, Mourinho watched from his rosy position at the top of the table as Van Gaal’s United stuttered to a 2-2 draw at West Brom on Monday, a result that widened the gap between Chelsea and United to 10 points.

Van Gaal will take on his former pupil – Mourinho was on the coaching staff at Barcelona when Van Gaal was named as manager in 1997 – for just the second time. The Portuguese has the one-up after his Inter Milan side beat Van Gaal’s Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final.

Diego Milito’s brace handed Milan the title that night, and Mourinho may rely on the services of another Champions League hero on Sunday. Diego Costa (hamstring) and Loic Remy (groin) are both set to miss out, giving 36 year old Didier Drogba the chance to make his first start in the league since returning to the Blues.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS

Chelsea 3 (Eto’o (3)) Manchester United 1 (Hernandez), Premier League, January 2014

Manchester United 0 Chelsea 0, Premier League, August 2013

Manchester United 0 Chelsea 1 (Mata), Premier League, May 2013

STATS

The last man to score a goal in this fixture at Old Trafford was Juan Mata, playing for Chelsea.

Manchester United have had a player sent off in two of their last three league encounters with Chelsea.

If Chelsea keep a clean sheet it will be their third successive at Old Trafford. The last time the Blues managed to keep 3+ clean sheets there was a spell of five between 1968 and 1972.

United have won only six of their last 22 league games against Chelsea.

ODDS

Manchester United to win: 3.0

Chelsea to win: 2.52

Draw: 3.6

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD at 4pm, highlights on BBC1 at 10:30pm.