Can Manchester United compete with Chelsea?

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal will be looking for his side to send out a message with a win against Chelsea on Sunday

Manchester United faces their biggest challenge of the season so far, as they host Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.

The Red Devils have enjoyed mixed fortunes so far this season, with Louis van Gaal’s men sitting sixth in the Premier League table.

Strong

Chelsea have looked by far the strongest team in the Premier League so far.

The Blues have won seven out of their eight Premier League games this season, with a draw at champions Manchester City the only game that Jose Mourinho’s side have not won this season.

The signings of Spanish duo Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa look to have been the final pieces of Mourinho’s very expensively assembled jigsaw. Both players have hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s Portuguese boss worked the transfer market superbly well in the summer, making a profit but bringing in players that improved his starting line-up.

Progress

Manchester United are very much a work in progress under Van Gaal. The experienced Dutchman has put his stamp on the team by bringing in the likes of Marcos Rojo, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind.

With three wins, three draws and two defeats this season, they have not found the consistency that the Dutchman or the United fans would have wanted this season. However, the new signings are now settling in at Old Trafford.

United drew 2-2 with West Brom last time out, where they needed a late Daley Blind goal to rescue a point. With United in inconsistent form it may not be a great time to face Chelsea.

Doubts

Spanish international striker Diego Costa has been outstanding for the Blues, but has missed the last two games. Costa has found the net nine times in the Premier League and is the joint top-scorer in the league alongside Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.

The 26-year-old was reportedly hospitalised earlier this week with a virus and he is now doubtful for the game against the Red Devils.

Summer signing Loic Remy picked-up a knock in Chelsea’s 6-0 hammering of Maribor in the Champions League on Tuesday night and had to be replaced by veteran striker Didier Drogba. The 36-year-old has mostly played a bit-part role this season for Mourinho’s side since he returned in the summer.

However, the scourge of United in the past may start against the Red Devils if Costa and Remy are ruled out through injury. The other option that the Blues may consider is playing versatile Germany international Andre Schurrle up front as the focal point of their attack.

High-profile

This clash will be an interesting one between two of the most high-profile bosses in world football. Chelsea’s Mourinho is regarded as one of the top bosses in world football, while Van Gaal has a history of success that stretches back more than two decades.

The Chelsea boss has established himself as the king of the mind games in English football and will no doubt attempt to get  at his experienced Dutch counterpart in the next few days.

Just like Mourinho, Van Gaal has a major ego and no doubt will be desperate to defeat the Chelsea boss. It will be an interesting tactical battle between two of the biggest characters on the managerial scene.

Difficult

This will be a difficult game for both sides. Manchester United teams of the past would be confident going into a clash with the Blues, but the circumstances are now different.

Chelsea seems to be the dominant force at the moment and United are trying to recover their place within the elite of English football.  With or without Diego Costa, Chelsea may be considered favourites for this clash, despite the amount of cash that United splashed in the summer.

I believe a draw would be no disgrace for Van Gaal’s team, because at the moment Chelsea are threatening to run away with the title this season. A win would give everybody at the club a major boost and send out a message that United can still compete with the best in the league.

Will Manchester United win against Chelsea?