sport news Chelsea vs Manchester United clashes used to decide titles but now it's 12th vs ... trends now
There was a time when Chelsea vs Manchester United clashes around this time of year meant something.
In April 2006, Jose Mourinho's swaggering Blues crushed United 3-0 to make it back-to-back Premiership titles.
A year later and Sir Alex Ferguson's empire struck back with Chelsea forced to give a guard of honour to a makeshift United team featuring Fangzhou Dong, Chris Eagles and Kieran Lee.
In 2008, a nip and tuck title race was kept alive by Michael Ballack's double in a 2-1 Chelsea win at the Bridge, although United would ultimately prevail by two points - and then beat their rivals on penalties in the Champions League final.
2010 saw Didier Drogba's controversial strike - from an offside position - saw Chelsea win 2-1 at Old Trafford to leapfrog United into top spot and put another title within their grasp.
Chelsea collect the Premier League trophy after their win over Manchester United in 2006
Chelsea give a makeshift United side a champions' guard of honour back in 2007
Didier Drogba fires Chelsea to victory at Old Trafford in 2010 as they closed in on the title
Clashes between Jose Mourinho's Chelsea and Sir Alex Ferguson's United were eagerly-anticipated and quite often decided the destination of the title
There was little love lost as John Terry's tackle on Wayne Rooney in 2006 proves
But whereas once these games decided title destinies and were eagerly-anticipated the world over, they are now pale imitations of the glory years.
Thursday night's game at Stamford Bridge may occupy the primetime slot, but it's a ultimately a meeting of 12th versus 6th in the Premier League.
Chelsea and United once represented the pinnacle of English and European football; now both clubs give the impression of being rudderless despite spending mind-blowing sums in their pursuit of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
At least both have such inadequacies it should make for an entertaining 90 minutes.
You only have to look at the goal difference column on the table to appreciate how this could be an open, end-to-end encounter.
Erik ten Hag's United are somehow still in contention for Champions League qualification despite their goals scored and goals against tallies being equal (40 in each).
Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea, who look resigned to another season of mid-table obscurity, aren't a lot better with 49 scored and 47 let in.
Both managers try and say the right things but appear to be living game-to-game rather than working towards a clear and obvious long-term goal.
Chelsea vs United games with Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino don't have the same lustre
Chelsea look a long way from being title challengers at the moment despite spending big
Ten Hag's United also look far from being the finished article despite considerable investment
Ten Hag is already pleading with new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe not to sack him this summer, insisting United are heading 'in a good way, a good direction' and should not 'interrupt this process.'
While an injury pile-up can be used as mitigation, the reality is United have looked entirely unconvincing in the majority of their games this season.
Ever since Wolves were able to drive a coach and horses through their midfield on the opening night, Ten Hag's side have looked embarrassingly vulnerable.
The wins that have come are typically the result of late smash and grabs having been under the cosh, the likes of Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire finding goals to spare Ten Hag's blushes against modest opposition.
Sometimes, they don't even get away with it. Last Saturday, United couldn't even defend the lead given them by Mason Mount in the 97th
