Chelsea v Manchester United

If ever David Moyes wanted an opportunity to prove that he is indeed the right man to lead Manchester United, Sunday's clash with Chelsea is it.

If ever David Moyes wanted an opportunity to prove that he is indeed the right man to lead Manchester United, Sunday's clash with Chelsea is it.

Back on the winning trail after dispensing of Swansea last time out - but under no less pressure - Moyes and his men head to Stamford Bridge with a point to prove. However, just how they will manage to quell their critics is far from straightforward.

When the two sides met at Old Trafford earlier in the season, Jose Mourinho set out his stall and played for the draw throughout. The Portuguese manager could afford such a luxury; there are not countless doubters beating on his door, determined that he has no right to be there.

However, without the services of the star duo of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, a similar defensive approach may be just what Moyes would like to adopt come Sunday. There are two points for consideration here - do United have the players necessary to emulate the Blues' performance and can Moyes afford such tactics and then lose? Unfortunately for Moyes, the answer to both questions is 'no'.

Despite having their backs up against the wall, the fact that they head into the clash with many having already written them off, the lack of pressure that results could be just what United require to find their spark.

In terms of players capable of being match-winners for the visitors, Adnan Januzaj is the name that sticks out. The teenager has the flair possessed by so many in the Chelsea line-up and the talent to turn a match on its head in an instant.

Indeed, he shares many characteristics with the Blues' in-form attacker Eden Hazard, who will be a key performer in the match. The battle between the two is a tantalising - and a crucial - one. Hazard has been allowed to make merry far too many times this season and United need to keep him in check.

While Moyes sweats over what could potentially go wrong, one can imagine a rather smug Mourinho leaning back in his chair and having a bit of a chuckle at the Scot's plight. Mourinho asserted in his pre-match press conference that nobody should have sympathy for Moyes; he is in charge of one of the world's biggest clubs, a job so many dream of.

There are some who do feel sympathy for Moyes though. Without the services of his best players for much of the season and with an aging squad, one could put forward the case that the former Everton boss' biggest mistake was thinking that it was sufficient to just bring in Marouane Fellaini at the start of the campaign.

In head-to-head battles, Moyes has not beaten a Mourinho-led team in nine attempts and he's unlikely to change that record on Sunday. The match has been billed as a season-defining one for United and that is likely to be the case. Defeat to Chelsea could see them drop 14 points off the pace at the top and eight shy of the final Champions League berth.

This will not be United's season, and it's unlikely to be Chelsea's either, but come Sunday, it is the latter who will be smiling.