Chelsea vs Manchester United: 3 talking points ahead of Saturday showdown

The Premier League couldn't have resumed from the international break on a better note as matchday nine kicks off with Chelsea hosting Manchester United in a riveting encounter at the Stamford Bridge.

Whilst the Blues are still unbeaten in the league, Jose Mourinho's Red Devils have been erratic to say the least. United are currently languishing 8th in the standings: a good seven points off the title race. However, another poor result here is touted to seriously jeopardize his job.

He hasn't had much success against his former side either, winning just two of the five matches since 2016. And to add to the spice, we're going to witness the start of a new managerial rivalry on the touchline as Mourinho and Sarri clash for the first time ever. Here are the major talking points ahead of the game:

#1 Jose's road to perdition?

Mourinho is walking on egg shells

Manchester United have a really rocky road ahead. With fixtures to Chelsea, Everton, Juventus twice and defending champions Manchester City all coming thick and fast over the course of next three weeks, Mourinho's fate could arguably be decided during this challenging spell.

With the chatters of the maverick gaffer's potential sacking being heard above the din again, this is going to be a make or break period for him. And how ironic that it all begins at the place where he has a legendary status. But there's no love lost between him and Chelsea, for he's been beaten on all three visits to the Bridge as a United manager: a 4-0 humiliation in the 2016 homecoming followed by a pair of tame 1-0 losses.

United's recent run won't inspire confidence either, winning only one of the last five games, though the Newcastle United triumph evinced signs of life in this team. However, Chelsea are a different kettle of fish: joint top of the league with six wins from eight and no defeats. New manager Mauricio Sarri is running a taut ship and the Blues know a thing or two about consigning their great rivals.

So, will this mark the beginning of the end of Jose again? The road to perdition is set.

#2 Mourinho vs Sarri: A new touchline throttle

The dawn of a new rivalry

For the first time in his illustrious career, Jose Mourinho will be battling his wits against Sarri, another shrewd tactician that he's already sung the praises of. And it promises to be an interesting duel.

Both managers have regularly used the 4-3-3 (to contrasting results though), but Mou tends to get too defensive against the bigger sides. He did, however, eke out results against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City at Old Trafford with that formation in recent times. Sarri, on the other hand, has exercised quite an attractive brand of football that has seen Chelsea fire on almost all cylinders.

With 18 goals, they're the most prolific behind only City and Arsenal - while having also made the best start to a season in over a decade. It would take some stopping from United if they were to pinch some points off in this game, but the visitors have all the tools to spoil their plans.

#3 All eyes on high-flying Hazard

United have a huge task to contain Hazard

On the field, Chelsea's Eden Hazard would be the cynosure of the home support. The Belgian's barnstorming start to the new campaign has been the driving factor behind his side's near-perfect run in the league so far. With seven goals in 8 appearances, he currently leads the scoring pack and would definitely pose a huge threat to the erratic United defence.

He's a menace down that left wing and holds the key to unlocking opposition defenses. Hazard hasn't had much success against the Red Devils so far, netting only five times in 13 appearances, but his rich vein of form holds him in a good stead. The 27-year-old has also come up trumps in set-pieces, netting all three of the penalties he's taken so far.

Chelsea have been functioning as a cohesive unit under Sarri, but Hazard has been that vital cog which has kept the wheels turning. Whether United go with a back five or four, he's going to be the single biggest threat and can even prove to be the difference-maker if he isn't effectively squelched.