United VS Chelsea - a department by department comparison

Champion teams don't always have the best players. But more often than not, they do. In what is turning out to be a stirring rivalry between a timeless powerhouse and a million dollar baby, this season promises to hold a lot of answers as to where this rivalry is heading. Manchester United may have won the famous double last season and Chelsea nothing, but Sir Alex Fergusson will be the first to admit that there really wasn't anything between the two sides the whole of last season. This season, with both clubs adding to their 'arsenal,' which club looks the better bet to last the distance?  Purely man for man.

Let's get things started with the goalkeeper's spot. Van der Sar may have made the odd mistake in his ManUtd career, but on the whole he has been almost impregnable. Not always the most stylish of shot-stoppers, he is not many neutrals' favourite goalkeeper; but, efficient he is! On the contrary, Petr Cech, a decade younger and as much of a superstar as any contemporary keeper, has served Chelsea marvellously well. Immediately coming to mind are his terrific efforts in a host of Chelsea's 1-0 wins under Mourinho. He too, as is a norm with goalkeepers, has made the odd mistakes. But, if I have to choose one man over other for this season, then I would choose the younger and more celebrated Czech ten times out of ten. [C-1, M-0]

Moving on to the right back position, a confident Jose Bosingwa takes on a question mark. And wins! Surely, none of Wes Brown, Gary Neville and Rafael da Silva look as menacing going forward as the Portuguese right back. And the question marks are no world beaters defensively as well. Atleast, not any more. [C-2, M-0]

At centre back, ManUtd have Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic as first choice. With Wes Brown and Johnny Evans to fall back on. The blues on the other hand, have Mr. Chelsea John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho as their first choices. Alex serves as their backup. Clearly, this is a department of great strength for both sides and there is very very little to choose between the two first choice pairs. And so, I will not. [C-2.5, M-0.5]

At the left back position, the battle is between two extremely talented, young attack-minded wingbacks. Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole both add a lot of value to their side, more so owing to the absence of a quality left winger at his prime(in both teams). Defensively, Cole might have got the nod a season or two ago but the compact Frenchman has come a long way since then. Too close to call, again. [C-3, M-1]

Next we move on to the right winger's spot. Joe Cole's progress in that position has been remarkably steady and continual. He not only adds a certain amount of shock value to the Blues but he is also a tireless week-in, week-out performer who also scores goals. A true manager's dream! But, up against him is Cristiano Ronaldo. [C-3, M-2]

It is probably true that most of the football played in football matches is at the heart of midfield. Moreover, both sides have a lot of flexibility and options in this position. So instead of picking two, it's probably a better idea to compare the options for the (I take it as) 2 spots. {I intend to award 2.5 points for these 2 spots alone} Chelsea boast of Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Deco, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel. Pitted against this very formidable bunch of versatile footballers, are Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Darren Fletcher. Analysing the United bunch's credentials first: Michael Carrick (when fully fit) is arguably United's 1st choice central midfielder for all games. He is a wonderful passer with excellent vision, and a more than handy tackler. In a side with so many superstars, he is the hinge. Paul Scholes ruled out for ten weeks is a bigger blow to Sir Alex's men than most people might think. If and when he is back, he should continue to play his role as an effortlessly efficient ball distributor and ofcourse, passer. The remaining 3 candidates are all very competent and versatile performers who also bring in a lot of energy into the side. Looking at the Blues' bunch now: Frank Lampard may be a much hated man(among some sections), but he is buzzing and in business as usual. A central midfielder who loves going forward, he is also very dangerous with his spot-kicks. Michael Ballack and Deco are two of the best central midfielders in Europe, but the question is how well they can adapt to their Chelsea roles. Under a belligerant new manager, this question does not seem to exist anymore. The very fact that Essien is being looked into fourth, speaks about Chelsea's strength in this area. [C-4.5, M-3]

As mentioned earlier, neither side has a left winger to match its right winger. Nevertheless, a look into the options is still interesting. Chelsea have Florent Malouda, a proven performer who hasn't really lived up to his promises so far, and Salomon Kalou. On the other side of the fence, United have Ryan Giggs(no longer the lightning quick terror that he once was), Park ji Sung and Nani. With Malouda yet to get his act together and Kalou rarely used as a 90 minutes player, United may probably look the healthier of the 2 sides in this department (especially because of the presence of a reliable Park ji Sung). But handing out a full point to them might be unfair because both Nani and Giggs have question marks over them, for different reasons ofcourse. [C-4.75, M-3.75]

Football is all about goals, some might feel. And comparing such talents as Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba and Dimitar Berbatov can be as exciting as, probably baffling. If Chelsea's strike force of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Franco di Santos looks 'damn good,' then United's reply of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez simply looks better. With oozes of class, committment and now, good camaraderie as well, this trio should serve Manchester United very well for a while to come. And neither is far from being the finished article either! Having said that, the terrific Drogba is as much of a menace (if not more) to rival defences as any of the others in this list. With his very good work rate, admirable prowler's instincts and the tendency to come good on the 'big' stage, Big Phil made his first excellent decision as manager long before the season even began. [C-5.25, M-5.25]

TIE BREAKER -

As it may well end up this season too, this contest looks destined for a photo finish. On the one hand, you have a manager who has achieved almost everything there is to achieve on the international arena. Scolari's debut season as Chelsea boss has got off to a dream start, injury problems notwithstanding. There is a swagger about this Chelsea side, which has (obviously!) never been seen before. They no longer look to break down opponents; they now look to hunt them down.

At the other side is a 66 year Scotsman and 8-time FA Premier league manager of the year award winner. With his starting ambition of knocking Liverpool of its perch more than fulfilled, this man never shows signs of tiring. Clearly, Sir Alex Fergusson cannot be expected to come 2nd in comparison to any other manager in world football!  Especially, with back to back EPL titles and a Champions' League triumph to boast of. Sad though it may seem (to some) : [C-5.5, M-6]

The Verdict : If the red devils' current return to form is no red herring, then this Premier League story might 'JUST' turn out to be another one for the historically minded statisticians.