Sir Alex Ferguson has told his players to put another dent in Chelsea’s title defence by ending Manchester United’s dismal run of results at Stamford Bridge.
It is nearly nine years since Ferguson’s side last won away at Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League – 3-0 in April 2002 – but victory tomorrow would see United stretch their lead over the champions to six points with a game in hand.
Ferguson said: ‘Our record down there has been poor over the last eight years.
When Jose Mourinho came in he made sure they were very solid at home and that has carried on.
‘It is a big one for us but I’m going into the game with a strong, confident squad. You want to go there in good form and we are.’
Ferguson has also told midfielder Anderson – who penned a new four-and-a-half-year contract at Old Trafford – to celebrate the deal with more goals.
The 22-year-old Brazilian has had an upturn in form after making a miraculous recovery from cruciate ligament surgery.
‘The area he has to improve is goalscoring. He recognises that and all the players tell him.
‘That is his weakness. He doesn’t score enough goals,’ he said. United are again without Paul Scholes, who will be sidelined until the New Year with the groin injury that has kept him out of the last four games.
‘When Jose Mourinho came in he made sure they were very solid at home and that has carried on.
‘It is a big one for us but I’m going into the game with a strong, confident squad. You want to go there in good form and we are.’
Ferguson has also told midfielder Anderson – who penned a new four-and-a-half-year contract at Old Trafford – to celebrate the deal with more goals.
The 22-year-old Brazilian has had an upturn in form after making a miraculous recovery from cruciate ligament surgery.
‘The area he has to improve is goalscoring. He recognises that and all the players tell him.
‘That is his weakness. He doesn’t score enough goals,’ he said. United are again without Paul Scholes, who will be sidelined until the New Year with the groin injury that has kept him out of the last four games.
But teammate Ryan Giggs insists United are full of confidence following Monday’s win over Arsenal.
‘Everybody’s buzzing. It doesn’t get any bigger than a trip to Chelsea,’ said Giggs.
‘We’ll need to be at our best. But we know a win on Sunday would put us in a great position.’