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Can Jose Mourinho's Chelsea stop Louis van Gaal's rampant Manchester United?

Ed Chamberlin looks back at Manchester United’s derby-day victory over Manchester City, and asks whether Louis van Gaal’s side can repeat the feat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday…

In early 2015, Sky Bet would have offered any price you like for United to beat City 4-2 in the Manchester derby.

The red side of Manchester was struggling, while the blue was level pegging with Chelsea. What a different story now. It was the same at the start of the game.

We questioned in the studio if the real Manchester City would turn up. After 10 minutes Gary Neville said on commentary that the champions had turned up. Big time. They were 1-0 up and dominant.

The turnaround that followed mirrored the transformation in the team's fortunes since the turn of the year.

United look guaranteed a return to the holy grail of the Champions League, while Man City are suddenly the ones with a battle on to secure their spot.

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After their win against Newcastle on Monday Night Football, Liverpool still loom as dangers. They trailed City by 17pts on New Year's Day. Now that gap is just four.

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Sky Bet still have Manchester City very short at 1/14 to finish in the top four with Liverpool at 11/2 and Southampton, who refuse to lie down, a 16/1 shot.

Liverpool need to hang in there over the next two games. City play West Ham live on Super Sunday, which is a game you would expect them to win.

The pressure is being cranked up on Manuel Pellegrini who now has the added distraction of having to deal with all the speculation about Jurgen Klopp, after he announced on Wednesday he'd be leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season. Klopp is currently odds on with Sky Bet (8/11) to be the next Manchester City manager.

Dortmund's head coach Juergen Klopp (centre) is flanked by  CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke (left) and sports director Michael Zorc (right)
Image: Klopp's planned departure could have Manuel Pellegrini sweating over his future

Liverpool have the FA Cup semi-final to focus on his weekend and after that if they can keep the gap at four points going in to the final three or four League games of the season, then they have half a chance.

Manchester United are now a further four points ahead after that really impressive performance on Sunday. I thought the boys dissected it brilliantly on Monday Night Football.

It was fascinating to hear Gary on Van Gaal's attacking philosophy and Jamie on the defending; notably the short distance between defenders and strikers that enables them to win the ball back so quickly. It's a system that Barcelona used so effectively in their pomp.

As Carragher said, Andres Iniesta and Xavi were not amazing athletes, nor blessed with pace but with only 30 yards separating back from front they had little ground to cover to win back the ball.

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I left Old Trafford impressed by the home side but I admit to giving Wayne Rooney's performance little thought. In fact, I read very little praise for the United skipper.

Carrick and the goalscorers dominated the headlines. It seemed like one of Rooney's quieter performances in a red shirt. That was backed up by him having a mere 35 touches in the game – his joint lowest in the Premier League for Manchester United.

However, Gary got everyone thinking with his explanation of Rooney's clever performance. He described it as a "silent domination of City's centre backs". Brilliant.

Rooney sacrificed his natural instinct to get involved and go to the ball all the time to focus on occupying City's centre halves and dragging them all over the place. Fellaini, Young and Mata reaped the rewards.

Juan Mata celebrates with Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney
Image: Ashley Young and Juan Mata befitting from Wayne Rooney's selfless play

I wonder what Jose Mourinho was thinking watching on. His team play Manchester United next on a mouth-watering Saturday Night Football.

Skybet have Chelsea strong favourites at 10/11, with Manchester United a 3/1 chance and the draw 5/2.

United could be very popular with punters as Louis van Gaal will definitely think he can win the game and his team have an excellent record against their top four rivals this season.

However, Jose's record with Chelsea also shows he does not lose big games. Something has to give. Or maybe a draw at 5/2 is the way to go. If you offered Jose a draw now I wonder if he would take it?

Tactically it's going to be fascinating. How does Mourinho stop United's raids down the left-hand side that caused such chaos against Manchester City?

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Fifty seven per cent of United's attacking was down that side in the first half on Sunday with far less coming through the middle and down the right.

Blind, Young and Fellaini were highly productive and Chelsea need to find a way to stop them. Another Chelsea issue is up front. With Costa out and Remy struggling to be fit, Didier Drogba may carry the responsibility of leading the line on his own again.

As Graeme Souness commented last weekend it is asking an awful lot of a 37-year-old who looked a shadow of his former self at Loftus Road.

Didier Drogba is tackled by Steven Caulker
Image: Didier Drogba may be called upon once again after starting against QPR.

Chelsea may not have been at their best in recent weeks but they have still found a way to win and dig out results. One spark from Eden Hazard could be enough on Saturday evening.

Win their next three games and Chelsea will be champions. But they are catching Manchester United bang in form. Saturday evening is set up beautifully.

Watch Chelsea v Manchester United live on Saturday Night Football. Coverage starts at 4:45pm, Sky Sports 1 HD.

Chelsea v Man Utd
Chelsea v Man Utd

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