When the Premier League fixtures were announced in June, this encounter caught the eye of many people.
While it may still only be early on in the campaign, both Manchester United and Chelsea have a chance to inflict an early blow on the other in the title race at Old Trafford this evening.
It is a fixture that has had a fair share of drama down the years and so with that in mind, Sports Mole has picked out five of the most memorable meetings between the two clubs at the home of the champions.
Man United 0-4 Chelsea, August 1968
In 1968, Sir Matt Busby's United were one of, if not the best, side in Europe. They'd proven as much by winning the European Cup against Benfica at Wembley in the May of that year. However, they were humbled by Chelsea just three months later as the Londoners scored four unanswered goals, including one from Bobby Tambling, whose goalscoring record was recently surpassed by Frank Lampard. The United side that afternoon contained the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best.
Man United 2-3 Chelsea, November 1990
A five-goal contest which included a contender for one of the most comical own goals you're ever likely to see. The unwanted accolade went to United defender Gary Pallister, who sliced the ball from the edge of the area over Les Sealey and into the net. Andy Townsend then doubled Chelsea's advantage, before Danny Wallace reduced the arrears with a headed effort. Wallace then turned provider for Mark Hughes to level up proceedings, but it was the away side that would have the final say when Dennis Wise scored from the penalty spot.
Man United 3-3 Chelsea, September 2000
Having won just one of their opening six matches to the new season, Chelsea went into this clash in poor form. It looked set to continue when goals from Paul Scholes, Teddy Sheringham and David Beckham cancelled out Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's earlier opener. However, Tore Andre Flo pulled a goal back for the visitors towards the end of the first half and the Norwegian sealed a share of the spoils after the restart in what was Claudio Ranieri's first match in charge.
Man United 1-0 Chelsea, November 2005
While quality football in this encounter may have been in short supply, very few games would have matched it in terms of passion. Under Jose Mourinho Chelsea were the best side in the Premier League by some margin and United knew it. They arrived at Old Trafford on a 40-match unbeaten run, but the home team's determination to break that streak resulted in Darren Fletcher looping in a header for the only goal of the game. The Blues pushed hard for an equaliser during the second half, but the United rearguard held firm.
Man United 2-1 Chelsea, April 2011
Sir Alex Ferguson's United held a 1-0 lead from the first leg of this Champions League quarter-final at Stamford Bridge and it appeared that they were cruising through to the last four when Javier Hernandez opened the scoring in the return meeting just before the break. Didier Drogba, on at half-time in place of Fernando Torres, brought Chelsea back into contention in the 77th minute, but United immediately broke up the other end and sealed their passage through thanks to Park-Ji Sung.
No Data Analysis info
