What do Chelsea know about... Manchester United?

Despite what Alex Ferguson tries to say, this is a big game and one of the games the fans would have looked out for the moment the fixtures were printed.

Manchester United are Chelsea's third most frequent opponents (behind Arsenal and Everton), there have been 151 games between the sides. United have the clear advantage with 65 wins to Chelsea's 41.

The first game between the two came in 1905 when both sides were in Division Two (what chance of that today?) finishing in a 2-2 draw.

In the 70's, 80's and 90's there was a strange phenomena between the two sides in that Chelsea would usually win the games at Old Trafford and United the games at Stamford Bridge. This has been redressed in more recent years however, United haven't won at Stamford Bridge since 2003 and Chelsea haven't won at Old Trafford since 2005.

In the modern Premiership era, Chelsea have taken more points off United than any other club. Chelsea have amassed 10 victories over the 'Red Devils', who have won 8. Chelsea were the first team to do the double over United in the 1993-94 season.

Chelsea's victories include a 5-0 mauling of treble-winning United at Stamford Bridge in 1999; a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in 2001 that even Alex Ferguson was forced to admit was 'one of the most complete performances from an away side at Old Trafford'; and the 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge that sealed the league title in 2006.

When it comes to Cups however, United certainly hold the edge. 

In 1994, Chelsea met United in the FA cup final. It was Chelsea's first appearance in the final for 24 years whilst United were looking to complete their first league and cup double. In the event, United romped home 4-0 winners with two penalties scored by Eric Cantona. Not long after the final a Nike advertisement featuring the image of Cantona was put up along the Fulham Road. It lasted all of 30 minutes.

In 1996, Chelsea again met United in the FA cup, this time in a semi-final at Villa Park. Ruud Gullitt had given Chelsea the lead but United came back with goals from Cantona and David Beckham to win 2-1.

Chelsea and United were drawn together again in the FA Cup third round in 1998. It turned out to be one of Chelsea's most embarrassing results in the modern era. United won 5-3, but that looks more respectable than it was due to three Chelsea goals in the last 10 minutes. United were by far and away the better team that day.

Chelsea had to wait until 2007 to finally give United their comeuppance in the FA Cup. In a largely unremarkable game Didier Drogba scored the only goal of the game deep in extra time to give Chelsea victory in the first final to be played at the new Wembley stadium.

United can lay claim however, to have won the biggest game of all between the two sides. In the UEFA Champions League final, in May 2008 in Moscow, Manchester United beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to become champions of europe. This hardly tells the full story of the game.

United started like a house on fire and took the lead in the 28th minute through Christiano Ronaldo; Frank Lampard equalised for Chelsea just before half time. The game ebbed and flowed, good chances came for both sides. Both Lampard and Drogba hit the United post; John Terry had to clear a Paul Scholes effort off the line. In the last minutes of extra-time Didier Drogba was sent off for a slap on Nemandja Vidic. This ultimately proved crucial. The game went to penalties.

At 4-4 in the shoot-out, with Ronaldo having missed his spot-kick, John Terry stepped up for what would have been the match winning kick. He hit the post. United successfully scored their next two kicks and Anelka missed for Chelsea to give United victory. If Drogba had not been sent off he would have been taking the kick in place of Terry, could that have made a difference?

But here are two results to give Chelsea fans cheer: 3-2 and 5-0. The significance of these? Why, they're the scores the last two times United have come to the Bridge as european champions. What chance a hat-trick?