Score: United 9 Chelsea 7
MIDFIELD
Chelsea have superiority here, simply because of the array of talent at their disposal and the many options for Jose Mourinho to play with. They have the creativity of Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard, the goal threat of Frank Lampard and the balance offered by the work rate of Ramires and Kevin De Bruyne, who made an impressive debut against Hull last weekend. There are several combinations for Mourinho, but the fact David Moyes spent most of the summer pursuing Cesc Fabregas demonstrates this is an area he is concerned about. Fabregas would have been perfect for United, elevating what is the weakest area of the United team.
Score: United 7 Chelsea 9
STRIKERS
The partnership of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney is as good as it gets. The problem for United is Rooney does not appear to want to be at the club. A 100 per cent committed Rooney alongside Van Persie gives United the most potent strikeforce in the Premier League, a point underlined as they won the title last season. Chelsea have issues in this department and it is surprising they go into a season with Romelu Lukaku as arguably their most effective target man.
Fernando Torres has never reproduced his Liverpool form and looked ineffective once more against Hull last weekend. Demba Ba is not the same calibre of striker as Van??Persie or Rooney, which explains why Mourinho is so eager to recruit a world class centre forward. We all know who he wants, which is why I do not believe United will entertain the idea of losing one of their best player to help solve Chelsea's striking problem. United have the firepower and they're superior at the back, and for me this makes them more equipped at this moment for another title.
Score: United 9 Chelsea 7
MANAGERS
I saw the bookmakers have United as third favourites for the Premier League title behind Chelsea and Manchester City. That must be unheard of in the Premier League era, and it is also unfathomable. It can be attributed only to the identity of the manager, the bookies seeing the Mourinho factor as giving Chelsea impetus and Sir Alex Ferguson's departure having a detrimental impact on United.
It is harsh on David Moyes, but this is the challenge he knew he would face when taking on the job. Mourinho is, in many respects, under less pressure in that he is returning to Chelsea tasked with reclaiming the title after a couple of, relatively speaking, disappointing Premier League performances since the last win under Carlo Ancelotti. Moyes did a good at Everton but the perception is he is untried at title-winning and Champions League level. I have no doubt he has the talent required to continue United's winning habit, but Mourinho has won the lot so it is inevitable he has the edge in the dug-out at this stage of their careers.
Score: United 8 Chelsea 9
OVERALL SCORE: United 41 Chelsea 41
Alan Hansen's best combined Manchester United and Chelsea starting XI (4-2-3-1): Cech; Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Cole; Carrick, Ramires; Hazard, Mata Rooney; Van Persie.
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