Chelsea vs Man United clashes used to decide titles but now it's 12th vs 6th
There was a time when Chelsea vs Manchester United clashes around this time of year meant something.
In April 2006, Jose Mourinho's swaggering Blues crushed United 3-0 to make it back-to-back Premiership titles.
A year later and Sir Alex Ferguson's empire struck back with Chelsea forced to give a guard of honour to a makeshift United team featuring Fangzhou Dong, Chris Eagles and Kieran Lee.
In 2008, a nip and tuck title race was kept alive by Michael Ballack's double in a 2-1 Chelsea win at the Bridge, although United would ultimately prevail by two points - and then beat their rivals on penalties in the Champions League final.
2010 saw Didier Drogba's controversial strike - from an offside position - saw Chelsea win 2-1 at Old Trafford to leapfrog United into top spot and put another title within their grasp.
But whereas once these games decided title destinies and were eagerly-anticipated the world over, they are now pale imitations of the glory years.
Thursday night's game at Stamford Bridge may occupy the primetime slot, but it's a ultimately a meeting of 12th versus 6th in the Premier League.
Chelsea and United once represented the pinnacle of English and European football; now both clubs give the impression of being rudderless despite spending mind-blowing sums in their pursuit of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
At least both have such inadequacies it should make for an entertaining 90 minutes.
You only have to look at the goal difference column on the table to appreciate how this could be an open, end-to-end encounter.
Erik ten Hag's United are somehow still in contention for Champions League qualification despite their goals scored and goals against tallies being equal (40 in each).
Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea,
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