Rene Meulensteen plays down Diego Costa absence

Rene Meulensteen has warned Manchester United that Chelsea will still pose a threat without Diego Costa on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders travel to Old Trafford this weekend with their top scorer said to have "little chance" of playing, according to manager Jose Mourinho.

However, the former United coach thinks that the Blues still have enough quality to get a result away from home.

Meulensteen told talkSPORT: "I think Chelsea have got enough of an attacking threat to throw something at them even if Costa is not playing.

"Of course, if Costa was playing and he hit the ground running, you could put money on him that he's going to get a chance and he will probably score.

"But Chelsea have still got enough attacking options even without Costa."

Despite the doubts around the Spain international's fitness, Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal expects Costa to play a part.