This may well be Jose Mourinho’s final game in charge of Man United.
If it isn’t his swansong, it is certainly one of the biggest games of his tenure.
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With the Red Devil’s sitting not so pretty in eighth place, this game is massive for both the club and manager.
Stamford Bridge is the last place Mourinho will want to visit with his job being on the line.
It’s not been a happy hunting for the Special One at his old stomping ground.
His first trip back to west London as United manager saw Antonio Conte’s Chelsea disassemble his side in a convincing 4-0 win. A win that left Jose giving Conte a bit of an earful.
Not exactly magnanimous in defeat.
He has since been back twice, losing both games 1-0.
Once in the FA cup thanks to a rare N’Golo Kante strike, then last November to a brilliant Alvaro Morata header. (Yes, really.)
He took on Chelsea in last season’s FA Cup final – and lost that game 1-0 as well.
Although it isn’t just Jose’s United side that have struggled against the Blues. The Red Devils have won just one game in their last 16 attempts at the Bridge.
In fact Chelsea boast the best record against United in the Premier League.
The warning signs are certainly there.
While Jose’s side need a win, Chelsea are just expecting one.
What’s more, Eden Hazard is in the form of his life at the moment and United’s back line will be quaking in their boots.
The Belgian has scored seven goals already this season in just five starts. United have shipped 14 goals already this term, including two in the opening 10 minutes against goal-shy Newcastle.
The bad omens are stacking up for a man coming down with a serious case of ‘third season syndrome’.
In contrast, Maurizio Sarri’s men have shot out of the Premier League blocks. Unbeaten in eight, winning six in style.
The lovable Italian’s style is clear to see, and is the polar opposite of Jose’s prehistoric methods.
If this really is to be Jose’s curtain call in the Premier League, then there’s something quite poetic about it being back where it all began 14 years ago.