Manchester United have won their last three matches with Chelsea in all competitions and that reflects the greater progress they have made in renewing their squad. Continuity of management has helped the Old Trafford project, but Chelsea have spent heavily since the January transfer window. André Villas-Boas must hope for impact even if the line-up is accused of being one-paced. Didier Drogba remains out for the visitors with concussion while Michael Essien is not expected to return from a knee injury until February. Kevin McCarra

Venue Old Trafford, Sunday 4pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season Manchester Utd 2 Chelsea 1

Referee Phil Dowd

This season's matches 4 Y21, R0, 5.25 cards per game

Odds Manchester Utd 11-13 Chelsea 4-1 Draw 29-10

Manchester Utd

Subs from Kuszczak, Lindegaard, Amos, Evans, Fábio, Gibson, Park, Giggs, Macheda, Diouf, Berbatov, Fletcher, Owen, Valencia

Doubtful Ferdinand (hamstring)

Injured Welbeck (hamstring, 24 Sep), Vidic (calf, 1 Oct), Cleverley (ankle, 15 Oct), Rafael (shoulder, Nov)

Suspended None

Form guide WWWWWD

Disciplinary record Y5 R0

Leading scorer Rooney 8

Chelsea

Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Ferreira, David Luiz, Alex, Romeu, Malouda, Kalou, Mikel, Lukaku, Bertrand, McEachran, Torres

Doubtful Hilário (hip), Turnbull (calf)

Injured Drogba (concussion, 21 Sep), Essien (knee, Feb)

Suspended None

Form guide WWWDLD

Disciplinary record Y7 R0

Leading scorers Seven players 1

Match pointers

• The past three league meetings between these sides ended 2-1, as did their last Champions League meeting

• United have averaged fewer points per Premier League game at home against Chelsea than against any other opponent (1.47)

• United have scored more goals after four Premier League games than any other team in the division's history

• David de Gea has made the most saves in the Premier League this season (30)

• United have set a new Premier League record of 17 consecutive home wins