Dimitar Berbatov is convinced the two sides battling it out at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will also fill the top two positions in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Manchester United head south knowing victory will allow them to leapfrog present league leaders Chelsea and assume pole position heading into the international break.
"I always think Manchester United and Chelsea will be the top two and I don't think this year will be any exception," he told MUTV. "They will be our main rivals for the title."
Yet not everyone is certain it will stay that way.
Arsenal have started the campaign in excellent form and would draw level with United if they won their match in hand, while Manchester City seem to have spent their Abu Dhabi-backed fortune wisely and could well emerge as a threat.
Berbatov takes that knowledge on board, but he still feels the Red Devils will be taking on the biggest challenge to their bid for an unprecedented fourth successive league title.
He added: "They have great players and a great coach. Everybody knows that. It is still early but I think the title will be between us two."
Although United have not registered an away win over Chelsea since 2002, during Claudio Ranieri's time at the west London outfit, Berbatov has enjoyed some personal success against the Blues. His record of four goals in 10 encounters includes a penalty for Tottenham during the 2008 Carling Cup final as the White Hart Lane club went on to lift the trophy.
In an ideal world, Berbatov's run would continue. But the Bulgarian admits he would take a single goal from a defender right now if it meant United could head back to the north-west clutching those precious three points.
"I scored plenty of times against them with Tottenham, now I want to continue with Manchester United," he said. "I would be glad to score a couple against them but it is not about one player."
Comment 8 - 27 of 27
BERBATOV u r right o, bt dn't 4get dis Arsenal Boys r coming up too, wel i wish chelsea n d big 4 best luk.
Yep just counted, and guess what,
man ure still second best to Liverpool,
Pathetic manky hotpots trying to fool themselves,
mind you that aint hard to fool a manc. "SPIT"
at least I can count check the honours lists,FACT Man U have won more honours than Liverpoo end of story, history doesnt lie so shut the f e c k up you bin dipping s c o u s e dog.
man ure forever, you plum !
you call me uneducated, seems you`re having problems counting and spelling ( TYPICAL, not TIPICAL )
Tut Tut, silly manky hot pot !
you musnt be able to count, tipical uneducated scouse t w a t.
man ure forever, you plum,
glad you`re only thinking that man ure have won more trophies than the mighty Liverpool, how wrong you are !
another deluded man ure fan with ideas above his station, TUT TUT TUT !!!!!
Bike 69 think youll find Man U have won more trophies than Liverpoo, shows how much you know you BIGGER plum fool d i c k h e a d.
kelly"pig"styz,
at least that`s useful,
not like you, you vaginal wart !
chelsea will beat MU...3 - 0... red card for Rooney char ay ayyam
bike 69 you are a c.u.n.t.!!!!!!
man ure forever you plum !
Nearly as much history as Liverpool.
Flidic to get sent off again today !
Vinay 777 you are dead right mate best comment today, Chelsea fans think they are a big club yet this is their history, what a laugh.
Barclays Premier League : 3 (1955, 2005, 2006); Carling Cup : 2 (2005, 2007); Community Shield : 1 (2006); European Super Cup : 1 (1999); FA Cup : 5 (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009); The Coca-Cola Football League Championship : 2 (1984, 1989)
Come back when it looks something like this.
Barclays Premier League : 18 (1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009); Carling Cup : 2 (2006, 2009); Community Shield : 5 (2000, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009); European Super Cup : 1 (1992); FA Cup : 11 (1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004); FIFA Club World Cup : 2 (2000, 2009); The Coca-Cola Football League Championship : 2 (1936, 1975); UEFA Champions League : 3 (1968, 1999, 2008)
Now that what you call history.
Thumbs up if you agree
thumbs down if you dont.
man ure for a good old fashioned spanking today !
arsenal r definetely title contenders they have an excellent side
i believe that manu are the ones that r goin to go into third place n remain there
the main contenders will be chelsea + arenaL
GO GUNNERS!!!!
manu 2 chelsea 0 you be careful roooooonayyyy will be on your back
manu will always remain a big club in europe bt chealsea had not prove anything in england and europe
As a Chelsea fan I would have to say "Watch your backs, Arsenal are too close for comfort"
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 3
Drogba 58min Barby 29min
Rooney 52min
Fletcher 77min
I bin watch the match for dream
the title is between utd and chelsea.
utd havnt even got going yet always slow starters,chelsea have brillient players but they lack the team spirit old trafford has always shown and that could cost them as with arsenal.
fergie puts up with no @#$% so the players no where they r,if they perform bad or need disciplin he is not afraid to leave a player on the bench and thats what the problems is with other clubs in premier ship.
and thats why united have the best chance and will win the battle to be the best.
U Dreaming Berbetov!!! Every teams intention is to lift the trophy so watch ur words!!! good as United is we beleive u have threats from all round the clubs!!! United 0-Chlsea 4
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