Chelsea may need just a point to retain their Premiership title when Manchester United arrive at Stamford Bridge a week on Saturday but that won’t stop the second-placed visitors from going all out to erase a bitter recent memory.
United, on the instruction of manager Alex Ferguson, formed a guard of honour to applaud the newly-crowned champions on to the Old Trafford pitch last season.
Being part of someone else’s party is not part of what anyone who joins the Red Devils signs up to and the current team are determined to avoid being relegated to a walk-on role when they arrive in West London.
”The feeling in the camp is that they cannot be celebrating after the game against us,” said United goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar. ”We do not want to be part of that.
”We are playing well, especially away from home and there is a lot of spirit. We are positive about what we are doing and we can use it to give us a good feeling for next season,” the Dutchman added.
United’s 2-1 win away to Tottenham Hotspur not only kept the title race alive but ensured Ferguson’s men stayed six points ahead of old rivals Liverpool in the race for the runners-up spot and automatic entry into the Champions League.
But Van der Sar admitted it was vital United made a better start to their campaign next season if they are to challenge for the title.
The Reds managed just eight points from seven league games in September and October. By contrast, their victory against Tottenham was their 10th win in 11 matches.
”The key to it is starting better and not dropping as many points at home as we have done,” said Van der Sar.
”This season we have dropped too many.
”We are happy with the result against Tottenham. It was very important to win, more because of the result Liverpool got against Blackburn than the title. We have put six points between us and Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s setback only added to the fear that the fourth place would be taken away from them by Arsenal, who they face in what is likely to be a fiery North London derby this Saturday at Highbury.
”They are very strong at home,” said Tottenham manager Martin Jol. ”It will be very difficult and ideally we would have had a bigger gap.
”Every game between now and the end of the season is going to be a battle. We cannot afford to be found wanting in meeting that challenge head on and nor will we be,” the Dutchman insisted.
”Everybody here is up for it. Each player knows that they are not the star; it is not about individuals, it is about the club.” – Sapa-AFP