Premier League Preview – Manchester United v Chelsea

Players to watch

Robin van Persie (Manchester United)

The Dutchman was the difference last season as Manchester United won their 20th league title and it looks like it’s going to be the same this season. Van Persie is in the form of his life and has been scoring goals for fun for the last couple of seasons that has seen him win consecutive Golden Boot awards. The former Arsenal star opened his tally for the season with a well taken brace against Swansea in the opening game last weekend, and will be hoping to continue his form and cause the Chelsea backline some problems.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

In truth, any one from the midfield triumvirate of Mata, Oscar and Hazard could be the key player to watch out for on Monday night, though the latter one is an extra-special talent. Signed from French side LOSC Lille last summer and touted as the next Cristiano Ronaldo, the Belgian has become one of the Premier League’s finest forwards by combining pace, flair, skill and intelligence. And at the age of just 22 years, he looks set to dominate the game for many seasons to come.

Manager Quotes

David Moyes, Manchester United

“He (Mourinho) was enjoyed by the media. Chelsea supporters obviously enjoyed him and from that point of view I would say yes (the Premier League has missed him). I have not seen him for a long time. Our paths have not crossed – probably because I was never in the Champions League, we have not had any reason to meet. I am looking forward to seeing him again though. He is probably the best of the young, modern coaches in the world. He is the one who has had the most success. He deserves all the plaudits he gets.

“There has been a lot of things I have been looking forward to; taking the team on tour, leading them out at Wembley. But to do it at Old Trafford for the first game against Chelsea is a thrill for me, it really is. It has come quickly. I knew what it was like. This is a monster in terms of the size of the club. Getting to know everybody is not that easy. It will take me a long time to get to know how it works. The bit I have enjoyed has been getting the know the players. They have made my job very easy. They have been excellent with their level of professionalism and the way they have gone about their work.

“There is a need to do it (buy players) but there’s no pressure to do it. It’s something we’ve been talking about it since I took the job on July 1. I have an idea of where I’d like to strengthen but we won’t do it because people tell us we should be signing players. If the right players are available great, but if not the first thing we’ll do is encourage our own young players in the squad to do as well as they did last year.

Jose Mourinho, Chelsea

“There are things that we cannot change. David has experience and he knows that he cannot change history. The history that Sir Alex did is there and it is there forever. Is that a problem for David? I don’t think so. I think David doesn’t want to be compared with Sir Alex. I think he’s in the best moment of his career – maturity, experience, a big, big, big club, very good players. I think he’s in a fantastic position and I think he’s going to do very well. I hope he doesn’t win everything and he will leave something for the others, but he’s in fantastic condition.

“To me it is not a difficult decision because you want very much to keep Rooney or you don’t want to keep him? But that old-fashioned mentality of, ‘I don’t sell players to clubs in the same country’ – I think doesn’t help. Sometimes you push players abroad when you should be keeping them in your league because then you are contributing to making your league the best league. You see in Italy it happens every season without any problems. Filippo Inzaghi played for Juventus, Milan. From the big players, only Francesco Totti stayed for life. Andrea Pirlo – Inter, Milan, Juventus.

“Why? They (Old Trafford crowd) are against me? But I didn’t say (to Rooney) you will be a second choice for me. And they are against me? We are trying to get a player that the manager told ‘you will be a second option’. We are not going for (Robin) van Persie. They don’t have to be against me. If I say Ramires is a second option for me and he plays when (Frank) Lampard is tired or injured, if somebody comes here to get Ramires, nobody is upset.”

Manager Stats

Moyes v Chelsea

Games – 32Won – 3Draw – 11Lost – 18

Mourinho v Manchester United

Games – 14Won – 6Draw – 6Lost – 2

Moyes v Mourinho

Games – 6Moyes Wins – 0Draw – 2Mourinho Wins – 4