Quite simply the biggest game of the year
Manchester United vs. Chelsea
Two decades ago, when Alex Ferguson moved south from Aberdeen to take over at Old Trafford, he knew that his job was to "knock Liverpool off their (expletive) perch."
It was something that was easier said than done and Fergie suffered through a nightmare forty-two months before an FA Cup win in May of 1990 brought some much-needed breathing space.
Liverpool, a club that over a span of 15 years had passed power from Shankly to Paisley to Fagan and to Dalglish with an efficiency that would have made the former Soviet Union green with envy, finally faltered with the arrival of Graeme Souness at Anfield.
Wins in the European Cup Winners Cup and the English League Cup over the next two seasons provided the Old Trafford faithful with a taste of what was to come. In 1993, the inaugural Premiership title was won by Manchester United and another seven league championships followed in the next ten seasons. Along the way, Newcastle (1995/96) and Arsenal (2002/03) saw 12-point leads disappear as United charged ahead.
However, three full seasons have now passed since the Barclay's Premiership trophy was last hoisted at Old Trafford by United. First Arsenal in 2003/04 went unbeaten and finished 15 points ahead of third-place Manchester United. In the last two seasons, it has been Chelsea leading the way, finishing 18 points and eight points ahead of the Red Devils.
And so twenty years on, it may be a different team and a different perch, but you do get the distinct feeling that if Fergie can knock Chelsea off, it will give him as much satisfaction — perhaps even more — as usurping Liverpool nearly 15 years ago.
Chelsea celebrated the title at Manchester United's expense this past April at Stamford Bridge and don't think for a moment the Red Devils have forgotten it. (Shaun Botterill/Staff / Getty Images)
You can certainly make the case that if United can regain the Premiership title it will stand as one of Ferguson's greatest achievements. Under Souness, Liverpool went into a decline that they have yet to fully emerge from, but Chelsea is a side that is at the peak of its powers.
Jose Mourinho inherited a very good squad from Claudio Ranieri but that has not stopped Russian owner Roman Abramovich from bankrolling more signings to the tune of around $260 million net over the last thirty months.
Stats and Facts
Sir Alex Ferguson vs. Jose Mourinho
Manager Hired Spent MP W L D Avg.
Sir Alex Ferguson 11/6/86 $305 million 557 350 80 127 2.11
Jose Mourinho 6/2/04 $260 million 89 68 8 13 2.43
Premiership head-to-head
Date Home Result Visitor Referee
Aug. 14, 2004 Chelsea 1-0 Man United Graham Poll
May 10, 2005 Man United 1-3 Chelsea Graham Poll
Nov. 6, 2005 Man United 1-0 Chelsea Graham Poll
Apr. 29, 2006 Chelsea 3-0 Man United Mike Dean
Last 38 matches
Team Played Wins Losses Draws GF GA Points
Manchester United 38 28 4 6 80 27 90
Chelsea 38 28 6 4 64 14 88
This stage previous seasons
Team Played Place Wins Losses Draws GF GA Points
2006-07
Manchester United 13 1st 11 1 1 29 6 34
Chelsea 13 2nd 10 2 1 23 7 31
2005-06
Chelsea 13 1st 11 1 1 31 7 34
Manchester United 13 2nd 8 2 3 21 13 27
2004-05
Chelsea 13 1st 10 1 2 21 4 32
Manchester United 13 3rd 5 2 6 14 10 21
Goals split by half
Team 1st-GF 1st-GA 2nd-GF 2nd-GA
Manchester United 13 4 16 2
Chelsea 12 2 11 5
On paper, Mourinho has a squad of players at his disposal that is second to none in England and probably in Europe. However, unlike the past two seasons when Chelsea has opened up sizeable leads over Manchester United during the first third of the Premiership season, this Sunday's highly-anticipated clash at Old Trafford finds Chelsea in a position that they are unaccustomed to — looking up at a Manchester United side that is three points ahead.
Last season at this stage, Chelsea led by seven points and the season before the gap was a mammoth 11 points. However, United has learned a lesson or two about the advantage to be gained by a fast start and set a blistering pace that, if maintained, would shatter the existing Premiership points record of 95, set in 2004/05 by Chelsea.
With the impressive start they have made this season, United has sent a clear message to Chelsea that they intend to make the 2006/07 Premiership a scrap rather than a coronation. For the first time under Mourinho, Chelsea is under real pressure in the Premiership and until Sunday we await Chelsea's reply.
Goals Against
Manchester United — The Red Devils have earned seven shutouts and have not conceded more than one goal in a single Premiership game. Of the six goals United has conceded, four have come from open play, one from a dead ball and the other from a penalty kick. Three goals have come from right-footed shots, two from left, and one a header.
Chelsea — The Blues have recorded eight shutouts and Chelsea has twice conceded two goals in a single game. Chelsea has conceded five goals from open play and two from dead balls. Two of the goals have come from right-footed shots, and two from left-footed strikes. Three goals have come from headers.
The Referee
Howard Webb has never officiated at a Manchester United-Chelsea Premiership game.
Webb has refereed five Manchester United games with United's record being three wins, a draw and a loss (0-2 to Norwich City).
He has been involved in eight Chelsea games and their record is four wins, two draws and two defeats (losses 0-1 to Manchester City and 1-2 to Middlesbrough).
Mr. Webb has never sent off a United or Chelsea player in a Premiership match.
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Manchester United vs FC Chelsea
