Chelsea travel to Old Trafford on Saturday aiming to break a 12-year winless streak at Manchester United’s ground.
The Blues last won there in May 2013 when Juan Mata scored the decisive goal, but since then they have only managed draws and defeats in Manchester.
Enzo Maresca’s side arrives with confidence after a strong start to the season. Chelsea are among just three clubs still unbeaten in the Premier League this season.
However, a midweek 3-1 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich exposed some weaknesses, and injuries to key players could affect their rhythm going into this clash.
They sit in the bottom half of the table at 14th place. A 3-0 defeat away to Manchester City last weekend raised fresh concerns about their defence, while earlier setbacks against Arsenal and Fulham have piled on the pressure. Their only league win this season came in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Burnley at home.
United’s recent struggles mean Chelsea will sense an opportunity, but Old Trafford has remained a difficult ground for them. In the last 12 league visits, they have failed to win, with seven draws and five defeats. Their most recent meeting there ended in a 1-1 draw last November.
For Chelsea, Sunday’s game is more than just about keeping their unbeaten run intact. It is a chance to finally end a 12-year wait for a league win at Old Trafford, a result that could boost their title ambitions and underline their progress under Maresca.
