Stars back to boost United in crunch tie
Excluding international weeks, Ferguson's leg-weary Red Devils have enjoyed their first seven-day period without a game since the start of a season which opened with a Champions League qualifier against Zalaegerszeg in mid-August. In between, the United manager has been hit by an horrific injury list which would have sent most sides tumbling out of the title race before the Christmas presents had been unwrapped.
Despite a couple of notable setbacks Ferguson's men have survived, and with Nicky Butt returning to the squad after three months out with an ankle problem and Ryan Giggs and Juan Sebastian Veron recovering from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, finally Ferguson has all his senior players fit for the first time this season.
It is probably just as well, for today's visitors have a startling record at Old Trafford having suffered only three defeats in their previous 27 league trips. Mario Melchiot, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen grabbed the goals last year as Claudio Ranieri's men emerged 3-0 winners and Ferguson was in no mood to elaborate on the reasons for the Londoners' stranglehold.
"I get asked about Chelsea's record against us every year," he said.
"They have a good record at Old Trafford and we have a good one at Stamford Bridge. There's no point going on about it, we just have to get on with it. The most important thing is that there will be two good teams on the pitch tomorrow and I think it will be close. Chelsea are third in the league and have brought more consistency into their play this season. I'm not expecting an open game because we both have tight defences, so whoever gets the first goal will have a big advantage."
United have emerged with bragging rights from their two meetings with Chelsea so far this season, having the better of a 2-2 draw in August before reaching the Worthington Cup semi-finals last month thanks to Diego Forlan's late winner. They also have more impressive recent form, bouncing back from successive defeats at Blackburn and Middlesbrough to emerge victorious on their last three Premiership outings amid a five-match unbeaten run which has seen them keep tabs on pace-setters Arsenal. "We didn't want to let Arsenal get too far ahead of us, so winning the last few games was important even if they weren't against teams near the top of the table," said Ferguson.
"We are in a nice position just now and this week's break has been good for lads like Mikael Silvestre, who has played most of the matches this season. Because of the Worthington Cup and Champions League we have played more games than anyone else. But with players like Nicky coming back there's a freshness about us and I believe we still have a good chance."
While confident in his own team's chances of wresting back the Premiership crown, Ferguson is not prepared to write off many of the other challengers. Both Arsenal and Chelsea look set to be around when the medals are handed out, as do Newcastle, who have overcome a dreadful start to drag themselves within touching distance of the leaders. "You can't discount anyone who is capable of putting a decent run together because it has been such a difficult league this season," said Ferguson.
Of more immediate concern is tomorrow's clash, which should see Ryan Giggs appear at Old Trafford after he was booed off the pitch during the 1-1 Worthington Cup draw with Blackburn.
The Welsh winger, who scored for United at Stamford Bridge, seems assured of a positive reception whether he is selected or not, although if his current inconsistencies continue, even Ferguson's patience may start to wear thin. If he doesn't make the starting line-up, Giggs is likely to find himself alongside Butt on the bench. Butt capped his reserve-team reappearance with a goal at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, has suffered no ill-effects and is now pressing for a recall.
A starting berth is unlikely tomorrow though, even though his combative presence in front of the United back four could prove valuable against a side containing one of Ferguson's favourite players.
"Gianfranco Zola has missed the last couple of games but I'm sure he will come back," said the United manager.
"He's a tremendous professional, an example to all players.
"To show the enthusiasm he does at 36 and still have the ability to play at the highest level is absolutely terrific," he added.
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