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Manchester United haven’t won at Chelsea in the league since 20 April 2002. Ten years. A miserable record, especially as Chelsea have been managed by Avram Grant in that time. And to think people quibble about Tottenham’s record at Old Trafford. These are meant to be the champions of England, and they can’t even win at a ground where Chelsea didn’t lose for 86 matches, a run spanning four years and eight months. Oh.

Only four players, two on each side, remain from that match. United won 3-0, a victory that wasn’t enough to stop Arsenal finally sealing the league title at Old Trafford a couple of weeks later. No prizes for guessing which players we’re looking for here. For Chelsea, it’s former England captain John Terry and Frank Lampard. For United, it’s Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, who gave Lampard a lesson that afternoon and may be about to give him another one today. Scholes got United on their way, scoring a trademark 25-yarder, a fine way to end a season which began with him being messed about following the arrival of Juan Sebastian Veron. There have been a few occasions heralded as the end of Scholes, but here he still is, running the show against Liverpool at last weekend and against Stoke on Tuesday, like a dad pulling the strings in a game with his kids down the park. “Och, he’s got feathers in his feet,” purred Sir Alex Ferguson after the 2-0 win over Tony Pulis’s side.

Still, the return of Scholes from retirement last month, as romantic as it is, does demonstrate the problems facing United, who decided the best way to replace Paul Scholes is with Paul Scholes. Accept no lesser imitations and all that, but the lack of care given to their midfield over the last few years is the major factor holding this side back from truly challenging the best in Europe. In that context, it is remarkable that they are still keeping up with Manchester City, a bit like when you chop garlic and the smell follows you around for days. Despite not playing that well against Stoke, there was never really any doubt that United would eventually find a way.

They haven’t had many better opportunities to end their dismal run at Stamford Bridge than this. There remains the possibility that Chelsea might suddenly rediscover their former swagger at some point this season, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely. If United need an example of the dangers of standing still, look no further. Where the blame lies for Chelsea’s slump isn’t immediately clear. On the one hand, we constantly hear of a squad full of difficult characters who need taking down a peg or two and who haven’t won nearly as much as their egos would suggest.

Add to that an inconsistent transfer policy – it’s hard to name too many obvious successful signings since 2006 – and constantly changing managers, and it would appear that Andre Villas-Boas needs time and support from above. Don’t hold your breath. On the other hand, even with some of the old guard sent off to the glue factory, Chelsea still don’t have any obvious style or philosophy on the pitch. With all this talk of former players, now wouldn’t be the worst time for the old Fernando Torres to come out of hiding.

Teams: Were any of the Chelsea substitutes alive the last time United won at Stamford Bridge?

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Bosingwa; Essien, Meireles, Malouda; Sturridge, Torres, Mata. Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Hutchinson, Romeu, Piazon, Lukaku.

Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra: Valencia Giggs, Carrick, Young; Rooney, Welbeck. Subs: Amos, Fabio, Park, Berbatov, Pogba, Hernandez, Scholes.

Referee: Howard Webb.

Premier League 2011-12ChelseaManchester UnitedPremier LeagueJacob Steinberg
guardian.co.uk

• Chelsea manager laments how ’social stories’ dominate game
• Captain ‘amazing’ not to let court case affect performances

André Villas-Boas believes the furore around the John Terry racism allegation is leaving a blemish on the image of the English game. “It is an unfortunate event, with consequences, and it doesn’t dignify British football, to be fair,” said the Chelsea coach in the aftermath of another controversial development as Terry was stripped of the England captaincy.

As Villas-Boas spent another press conference assailed by questions which relate to matters that have little to do with Chelsea’s match against Manchester United on Sunday, he lamented the way “social stories” dominate the agenda in English football.

“I think in the Premier League there is always a pattern of these kind of stories appearing, what each player does outside of the pitch,” the Chelsea manager said. “We had it in various different cases, we and other clubs. We have to let the people get called to court and the court to make the necessary decision.”

Managing a squad whose most influential player has been at the centre of such a sensitive issue – which has been debated across the media, inside every football stadium Chelsea visit, in Football Association meeting rooms and courtrooms as Terry still awaits trial – has been an eye-opener for a man trying to make headway in his first season in England.

Villas-Boas admitted there is very little to prepare a coach for how to deal with all the ramifications of the kind of social stories which have also ramped up the pressure at Liverpool and Manchester United over the Luis Suárez-Patrice Evra case and Manchester City with the Carlos Tevez predicament.

“It comes with the job and, as you gain experiences, you know how to deal with it better,” he said. “On that sense John has been amazing in terms of his off-field events not affecting his on-field performances.”

Villas-Boas suggested that Terry’s capacity apparently to thrive on adversity has in a perverse way suited Chelsea, and he sees no reason why the same would not apply for England, should Fabio Capello continue to select the centre-back. “For us, we benefit. Hopefully for his country it will continue to be the same. I’m not saying it fuels him, that he needs negativity, but he has been outstanding,” Villas-Boas said.

A knee injury rules Terry out of action this weekend. But fitness permitting, the coach has no qualms about playing him as soon as possible. Chelsea are adamant they will stand by their undisputed captain until there is any reason arising from his trial to do otherwise.

It is hard to imagine a more challenging debut season in an overseas league for a young manager but Villas-Boas broke into a wry smile as he paused to reflect on the experience so far. “It’s exciting and adventurous and magnificent – at the moment,” he said. There is no doubt that Chelsea’s position off the Premier League pace rankles, however. “There was a click of two games that made us lose track. And because we had so many emotions going on for that particular game against QPR and the impact it had on us for continuing to challenge for the title, I am sure I would come back again at the end of the season and say that was the key for us not to be champions.

“We should have a lot more points, that’s the reality, which is why there is that heaviness of a year that is not going well. We need to find a sequence of results to make us explode.”

Despite the inroads made by Manchester City this season, Villas-Boas believes United remain the benchmark. “I think so, bearing in mind the injuries they had which are now returning. I think they will be the ones to beat. Although the distance to Man City is equal to nothing, they will be the main favourites.”

ChelseaAndré Villas-BoasJohn TerryAmy Lawrence
guardian.co.uk