Manchester United's wildly unpredictable start to the season will have no bearing on Chelsea's Premier League trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, according to Blues boss Frank Lampard.

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Manchester United lost 3-1 and 6-1 at home to Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur respectively but bounced back with an away win at Newcastle United last weekend and pulled off a notable win at Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Chelsea have not won in the league against Manchester United for seven years and Lampard`s reign as manager began last season with a 4-0 hammering at United. They also lost 2-0 at home, although they did win the FA Cup semi-final between the two.

"I think the league`s unpredictable, you can analyse all the games; you talk about certain games where big teams have conceded a lot of goals or there have been big turnarounds in games," Lampard, whose side threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to Southampton last weekend, told reporters.

"We`ve been part of one of those, and so have others.

"So I`m not interested in that, I think United are a very good team, we`ve played them enough last year to know that and I`m not concerned in what might have happened in games before. We`ll take them at face value."

Chelsea have conceded nine goals in five games but were much-improved defensively in a 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Veteran defender Thiago Silva was outstanding in that game while keeper Edouard Mendy was a calm presence.

Mendy will start against United with Kepa Arrizabalaga ruled out with a shoulder problem while Thiago is also available for selection with Chelsea`s only absentee being Billy Gilmour.

Veteran keeper Petr Cech will not travel despite being surprisingly added to Chelsea`s Premier League squad.

Chelsea are eighth in the table with United down in 15th so both sides will be desperate to put down a statement of intent.

"They went to Paris and got a fantastic result, and everything is very close in the league," Lampard said.

"It`s an opportunity to get some very hard-earned points, but it will be a tough match."
The story has been taken from a news agency