Boss: We can win at the Bridge
Despite United’s slow start and Chelsea’s incredible home record – 84 games since the Blues’ last league defeat at Stamford Bridge – Sir Alex insists his side can return to Manchester with all three points on Sunday.
“It’s not a daunting task for Manchester United to go to Stamford Bridge,” he said. “Not with the ability we have in this team. Chelsea respect that. They know we can win there.
“We don’t want to be nine points behind Chelsea, or anyone else, at this stage of the season. We know we’ve got a big job to do on Sunday and the players will be up for it.”
Sir Alex says Chelsea aren’t quite the force they were at the end of last season when the Blues outplayed United at the Bridge to win 2-1. Certainly, the Reds boss believes there are chinks in their once almost impenetrable armour.
“They’re a little different now without Claude Makalele, who was a very important cog in their machine. And the athleticism and power of Michael Essien is missing at the moment.”
But while Essien – injured on international duty – is ruled out until February, Chelsea possess a new midfielder, and one Sir Alex even considered buying in 2004.
“We did look at Deco when he was at Porto,” the Reds manager revealed. “If you remember, he went to Barcelona for a very large sum of money – it was a fee we didn’t want to get involved in. Plus we had Paul Scholes anyway.
“But he’s a nice footballer – there’s no question about that. He’s a different kind of midfielder to the type Chelsea have had previously. He’s diminutive and clever…
“He’s made a little difference to the way Chelsea play, although I wouldn’t say he’s made them any more effective – they’ve always been effective.”
When asked if he was excited about the prospect of seeing Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov together at Stamford Bridge, Sir Alex revealed he was more interested in picking up three points.
“I’m excited about getting my first real win of the season,” he said. “We beat Portsmouth at Fratton Park but we want to get a real good win and get the show on the road again.
“We have a collection of talents here at the club and I have to make sure I pick the right ones. You can’t dismiss the contribution of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez – not with the form they’ve been in.
“It’s fair to say I’ve got selection problems for Sunday – the right kind, mind you.”
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