New Delhi: "Any manager who is judged after just five games, well, that means there is something wrong with the people who run the clubs, not the managers."
Andre Villas-Boas is right. It is, of course, too early to judge the new Chelsea manager who is just four games into his first season in England. Nevertheless, as the Portuguese prepares his side to take on champions Manchester United on Sunday, he will be well aware of the high stakes involved.
In fact, ever since Roman Abramovich has bankrolled Chelsea, meetings between these two clubs have come to assume special significance. Be it title-deciding league encounters or cup finals, each and every game is keenly-contested, intense and tight - the last four games were decided by a one-goal margin, with often little to choose between the two teams.
For Chelsea managers though, the fixture takes on even more importance. Villas-Boas is known to be meticulous in his study and preparation, so he will have noted how results against Manchester United have often shaped the fortunes of the man in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.
Jose Mourinho, the most successful manager in Chelsea's history, announced his arrival with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford in his first-ever game in charge. It was a trend that continued, with Mourinho winning five and United boss Alex Ferguson just one out of the 10 games in all competitions between the two clubs, till Mourinho's unexpected departure in September 2007.
Ironically, his replacement, the unfortunate Avram Grant also travelled to United in his first game at the helm. The result did not repeat itself, however, with the Blues going down 2-0. Although Chelsea won the return fixture in April 2008, they went on to lose the title, and perhaps more painfully on an infamous rainy night in Moscow, the Champions League final as well.
There was to be no immediate retribution, even as Luiz Felipe Scolari took on the mantle in west London. An uneasy stay reached crisis proportions after Chelsea's abject 3-0 defeat at the 'Theatre of Dreams' in January 2009 - Scolari was sacked less than a month later.
Three straight losses to United also proved to be Carlo Ancelotti's undoing. While Villas-Boas' predecessor beat Ferguson's men both times en route to winning the title in 2009-10, last season proved to be a different story. Soon after United had knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League quarters, the Blues arrived at Old Trafford for a virtual title-decider - A win would have seen Chelsea replace United at the top of the league standings, with two games left to play. A 2-1 defeat though, and Ancelotti also found himself shown the door.
And while this time the match at Old Trafford comes too early, its magnitude will not be lost on Villas-Boas.
The 33-year-old can take solace in the fact that Chelsea have traditionally done well against the Red Devils. Chelsea have won more Premier League games than any other away team at Old Trafford, and they were the last visiting side to win there, in April 2010.
However, the numbers mean little out on the field. The defending champions have made a blazing start to the season, claiming maximum points from their opening four games while scoring 18 goals in the process. They have been also formidable at home in recent times, having won 22 of their last 23 league fixtures there.
While United have got off to a flier, Chelsea, though unbeaten this season, are still finding their way under yet another new manager. New signings Juan Mata and Raul Meireles have injected some much-needed pace into the side, while young Daniel Sturridge has also impressed in the absence of the injured Didier Drogba. Fernando Torres, however, remains a problem and it will be a big call for Villas-Boas on whether to start the misfiring striker. After all, Ancelotti played Torres in the corresponding fixture last season, and everyone knows only too well how that ended.
Ferguson has no such worries, with Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez in prolific form. Rooney already has eight goals, a milestone he only reached in April last season. Meanwhile, Ashley Young and Phil Jones have settled in effortlessly, and United's strong bench strength has ensured the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Tom Cleverley are not sorely missed. The only question marks are over goalkeeper David de Gea, and Chelsea will be hoping to put some pressure on the 20-year-old.
Sunday will be the sternest test yet for both sides. Although a repeat of the 8-2 win over Arsenal is improbable, United's form, experience and fire-power will see them start as favourites. "We face United perhaps in their most tremendous moment of motivation, flair and style," observed Villas-Boas, even as Ferguson warned of the threat Chelsea still possess.
It will be a tough ask for the young Portuguese, who was only born five months after Ferguson won his first managerial trophy. Even a point may count as a win for a Chelsea side that is still rebuilding. Yet the Londoners are the only ones who can realistically hope to challenge the Manchester clubs in the title race this season, so the game will help the potential winner gain an early psychological advantage. And, rightly or wrongly, opinions will be formed as Villas-Boas locks horns with Ferguson for the very first time.
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