By Chris O'Brien
August 15 2004

Manchester United kick-off their Premiership campaign with a very tough trip to Stamford Bridge to face silverware-hunting Chelsea. The Londoners have once again spent big, and will be looking for three points against a depleted Red Devils line-up. Manchester United kick-off their Premiership campaign on Sunday with one of the toughest opening-day fixtures imaginable. Sir Alex Ferguson takes his depleted Red Devils to the capital to face a star-studded Chelsea squad, who look well equipped to challenge for the league championship with new manager Jose Mourinho at the helm.

Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich has once again spent big over the summer as the Londoners look to buy the league title that has not been at Stamford Bridge since 1955. Didier Drogba and former United target Arjen Robben are just two of the big names to arrive at the club over the summer.

The Blues challenged last season, and finished above United in the runners-up spot meaning automatic qualification for the European Cup. However, they were some way from matching Arsenal. In Europe, they knocked the Gunners out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage before losing out to Monaco in the two-legged semi-final. Despite an impressive season, Claudio Ranieri could not bring any silverware to the club, with early exits from the F.A and League Cup. High expectations cost the Italian his job.

The Red Devils face something of a player shortage crisis ahead of the game, with injuries, suspensions and international duty taking its toll. Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Louis Saha, Kleberson, Wesley Brown and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are all unavailable through injury, whilst Rio Ferdinand remains suspended until September and Darren Fletcher is banned for the opening two Football League fixtures this term. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze are both hunting gold in the Olympic Games and are also unavailable.

Alan Smith looks set to make his league debut in the Manchester United shirt, with Paul Scholes playing just behind him in the hole. Paul Scholes will support the Yorkshireman in an attacking role, with Diego Forlan on the substitute’s bench. Most of the rest of the team picks itself due to the large amount of absentees.

Psychology, the season seems to have been going sometime. A busy, albeit it farcical, pre-season campaign saw United jet off to the United States before hosting the Vodafone Cup at Old Trafford. Players have been involved in the European Championships and Copa America tournaments, and United have already lost the Community Shield final at the Millennium Stadium and kicked-off their European Cup campaign in Romania. The league season starts Sunday though, and the Premier League will be the club’s priority this season as we look to wrestle the crown back-off Arsenal.

United have not lost an opening day Premiership fixture for eight seasons, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate to get one over his new rival Mourinho. The battle between the two started last season following confrontations after Porto knocked United out of the Champions League. The war of words between the duo is expected to be fierce throughout the season.

Enjoy the game…