United and Arsenal the yardstick, says Ranieri

CLAUDIO RANIERI, who started his career as Chelsea manager with a draw at Manchester United, returns to Old Trafford today bidding to gauge how far his side have to go to catch the big guns.

Although Chelsea won 3-0 in Manchester last season, Ranieri, whose first match in charge of the Blues at Old Trafford was in September 2000, acknowledges there is still a gap between his side and United and Arsenal.

Chelsea's French midfield star Emmanuel Petit has said Chelsea are genuine Premiership title contenders this season but Ranieri refuses to jump on that bandwagon.