Sir Alex Ferguson's men haven't won at Stamford Bridge in a decade. Here are some tips they should follow to reverse this statistic.
The Red Devils may have had the upper hand over their rivals at Stamford Bridge over the years, but this has changed dramatically over the last decade as since the 2002-03 Premier League season Sir Alex Ferguson's side haven't won a single game at the venue after nine attempts.
Chelsea have been dominant at the Bridge, after having obtained six wins and three draws over United during this period in official Premier League games.
However, with three defeats in eleven home games this season, beating Chelsea at the Bridge may not be impossible any more. United have barely lost a single away game this season, and if they manage to find gaps in the leaky Chelsea defence they are more than capable of returning to Old Trafford with the three points.
Below are Five Tips (in no particular order) United should follow to run away with their first Premier League win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a decade.
1. Follow their instincts.
United have traditionally been characterised by a combination of three things: free-flowing soccer, work ethic and physical strength, and if they stick to their regular game plan not only will they give Chelsea a run for their money, but they will significantly increase their chances of claiming the three points. In recent visits to Stamford Bridge, United have been more concerned about the manner in which their rivals play, rather than to concentrate on their own game, which is in this case much more effective than that of Chelsea's.
2. Keep an eye on Fernando Torres.
Despite the fact that the Spaniard has gone twelve games without scoring a single goal, for his worst goal drought since leaving Atletico Madrid for the Premier League, high-profile players who have encountered similar problems as to that of Torres' always seem to appear in the most unexpected of moments. The United defence has to make sure that they treat Torres in the same manner as if they would if he were on a hot scoring streak, because if they fail to do this it could prove costly.
3. Make sure to pump constant long balls to Chicharito.
With Javier Hernandez in United's starting eleven, the Red Devils have already won in a way, as his presence takes a wealth of pressure off the shoulders of star striker Wayne Rooney. What United have to do is pump constant wide balls to the speedy Mexican, who can open up space and provide Rooney with goal-scoring opportunities.
The youngster has the ability to open up defences with relative ease, due to his speed and movement off the ball. With a player of the caliber of Rooney in the middle, the partnership could pave the way for a memorable United victory, especially because Chelsea's defensive flaws have been exposed more than once this season.
4. Play with Chelsea's desperation
United should take full advantage of the fact that although Chelsea are beginning to gain slightly more momentum, they are still playing well below their potential. With a couple of draws and another couple of wins against weak opponents in their last few games, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is evidently feeling the heat.
Furthermore, with his continuation at the club held only by a thin string, and with speculation surrounding that Jose Mourinho could return to the helm next season, what appeared to be a defiant Villas-Boas stated to reporters that there is no job at Stamford Bridge for his fellow Portuguese manager. Perhaps Ferguson could even take a stab at him with his famous mind games.
5. Provoke Chelsea at every opportunity
While provocation perhaps isn't United's style, at least on the field, Ferguson might opt for it to gain an advantage over Chelsea. The accomplished coach has seen everything when it comes to soccer, and will need to try something new in order to inflict a first defeat in a decade upon Chelsea at the Bridge. Villas-Boas' side are the dirtiest in the league this term, with 50 yellow cards and four red cards having been handed out to them. Surely Ferguson would have already advised his men of which Chelsea players to provoke on Sunday, with Torres being one of them.
Chelsea have been dominant at the Bridge, after having obtained six wins and three draws over United during this period in official Premier League games.
However, with three defeats in eleven home games this season, beating Chelsea at the Bridge may not be impossible any more. United have barely lost a single away game this season, and if they manage to find gaps in the leaky Chelsea defence they are more than capable of returning to Old Trafford with the three points.
Below are Five Tips (in no particular order) United should follow to run away with their first Premier League win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a decade.
1. Follow their instincts.
United have traditionally been characterised by a combination of three things: free-flowing soccer, work ethic and physical strength, and if they stick to their regular game plan not only will they give Chelsea a run for their money, but they will significantly increase their chances of claiming the three points. In recent visits to Stamford Bridge, United have been more concerned about the manner in which their rivals play, rather than to concentrate on their own game, which is in this case much more effective than that of Chelsea's.
2. Keep an eye on Fernando Torres.
Despite the fact that the Spaniard has gone twelve games without scoring a single goal, for his worst goal drought since leaving Atletico Madrid for the Premier League, high-profile players who have encountered similar problems as to that of Torres' always seem to appear in the most unexpected of moments. The United defence has to make sure that they treat Torres in the same manner as if they would if he were on a hot scoring streak, because if they fail to do this it could prove costly.
3. Make sure to pump constant long balls to Chicharito.
With Javier Hernandez in United's starting eleven, the Red Devils have already won in a way, as his presence takes a wealth of pressure off the shoulders of star striker Wayne Rooney. What United have to do is pump constant wide balls to the speedy Mexican, who can open up space and provide Rooney with goal-scoring opportunities.
The youngster has the ability to open up defences with relative ease, due to his speed and movement off the ball. With a player of the caliber of Rooney in the middle, the partnership could pave the way for a memorable United victory, especially because Chelsea's defensive flaws have been exposed more than once this season.
4. Play with Chelsea's desperation
United should take full advantage of the fact that although Chelsea are beginning to gain slightly more momentum, they are still playing well below their potential. With a couple of draws and another couple of wins against weak opponents in their last few games, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is evidently feeling the heat.
Furthermore, with his continuation at the club held only by a thin string, and with speculation surrounding that Jose Mourinho could return to the helm next season, what appeared to be a defiant Villas-Boas stated to reporters that there is no job at Stamford Bridge for his fellow Portuguese manager. Perhaps Ferguson could even take a stab at him with his famous mind games.
5. Provoke Chelsea at every opportunity
While provocation perhaps isn't United's style, at least on the field, Ferguson might opt for it to gain an advantage over Chelsea. The accomplished coach has seen everything when it comes to soccer, and will need to try something new in order to inflict a first defeat in a decade upon Chelsea at the Bridge. Villas-Boas' side are the dirtiest in the league this term, with 50 yellow cards and four red cards having been handed out to them. Surely Ferguson would have already advised his men of which Chelsea players to provoke on Sunday, with Torres being one of them.
