Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal, is targeting victory over Chelsea this weekend but admits taking on the leaders will be “a different biscuit”.
The Dutchman says his team have underperformed so far in his first season in charge, lying sixth in the Premier League, 10 points behind Chelsea.
Van Gaal believes United can still catch Chelsea but knows beating the leaders at Old Trafford will be far from easy.
“Now we have to play against Chelsea and in the Netherlands they say ‘that is another Kuche’, or another ‘biscuit’,” he said. “By that I mean another level.”
Van Gaal’s optimism contrasts with their results, which have brought just 12 points from eight games, with a 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion last time out.
But with doubts over the fitness of Chelsea’s leading scorer, Diego Costa, and back-up striker, Loic Remy, almost certainly out, Van Gaal believes anything is possible.
“I have great respect for West Bromwich Albion but Chelsea are at another level and Manchester City are as well. We have to see if we can beat them and after the two matches I can say yes or no.
“(Our position) is not good because when you see our games we have normally been the better team. But when you have 12 points from eight games, it’s eight points too few.”
Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, said he would not worry about who will or will not be fit, though he may have to start with veteran striker Didier Drogba.
“I cannot speak about Man United,” Mourinhi said. “I can speak about ourselves. We are playing well, we are getting good results. We don’t cry on injuries. It’s our philosophy, we don’t cry.
“We just think one injury means an opportunity for somebody else. We cannot hide. In this moment we have some problems with players that are not available to play.”
Chelsea captain, John Terry, said the leaders would not be taking anything for granted in spite of their superb start to the season.
“They’re still a very good side with world-class players in their team,” Terry said.
“Results haven’t really gone their way so far but we’re still aware at Old Trafford it’s a hostile atmosphere and they’ve got great support behind them. We’ll go there expecting them to be very good.”
Second-placed Manchester City will be hopeful of taking advantage of any Chelsea slip-up by winning at West Ham.
Striker Sergio Aguero scored four goals for City in their win over Tottenham last weekend and the Argentine will be a major threat at West Ham.
“I am not just saying this because he scored four goals but I think Kun (Aguero) is one of the best three or four strikers in the world,” manager Manuel Pellegrini said.
Third-placed Southampton take on Stoke, looking to build on their 8-0 win over Sunderland while Sunderland try to redeem themselves by beating seventh-placed Arsenal.
Liverpool will try to bounce back from their humbling by Real Madrid in the Champions League by beating Hull City at Anfield while Everton are away to second-bottom Burnley.
Bottom side Queens Park Rangers face Aston Villa on Monday night while West Brom play Crystal Palace, Swansea take on Leicester and Tottenham host Newcastle in the weekend’s other matches.
dpa/NAN.