EPL: RVP + Roon = R.I.P for Blues

Everyone seems to be going on and on about Jose Mourinho and Chelsea, but honestly, I'm still not convinced by the return of the self-styled "Special One".

Instead of people talking about Chelsea, it's suddenly Mourinho and Chelsea, and I find that a little disrespectful to the club.

Even with Mourinho pulling the strings, I believe Manchester United are good enough to beat Chelsea at Old Trafford on Tuesday morning (Singapore time) in the first big English Premier League clash of the season.

The Blues may have a 100 per cent record after two games, but Chelsea are not in as great a shape as many seem to think.

While Hull City were a waste of time in the opening fixture, Aston Villa were unfortunate not to get anything in that 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

While much has been made of David Moyes' inability to add a major signing in the ranks of the reigning champions, Mourinho hasn't made a significant transfer of his own yet, either.

It's just not a Mourinho team for me.

If you look at Chelsea's last two teamsheets, you'll see that the team are still very much a Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez side.

It has to be especially encouraging for Robin van Persie, who must be licking his lips after John Terry started for Mourinho in the last two games.

While Chelsea's midfield superiority will mean Michael Carrick and his colleagues at centre half will have to be on full alert to shut out the likes of Oscar and Juan Mata, the former Arsenal striker has to be the key United man.

Van Persie has got a great record against Chelsea and he'll be ecstatic to go up against Terry again.

His hat-trick at Stamford Bridge in 2011 as a Gunner remains one of the great individual performances in Premier League history.

Van Persie has certainly carried on from where he left off last season, after his two goals at Swansea.

He's become so important for United.

If you look at Chelsea's weaknesses, it has to be in defence.

I won't be surprised if Moyes picks Wayne Rooney and van Persie as United's two forward weapons.

I hope the England striker plays.

Rooney should want to prove a point to everybody that there is still a player there and that his situation isn't getting to him.

Even if he does want to join Chelsea, he should go out there and prove to his potential employers how good he is.

Wherever you play, you have to be professional and give 100 per cent, regardless of any issues you might have with the club, manager or even players.

I also think Moyes must go with Rooney because you must start with your best players against Chelsea.

I believe the way Mourinho has gone about courting Rooney has been rather unprofessional, especially the way he seems to talk about the United striker.

United surprised me when they came out against Swansea and turned in a professional performance.

I expect them to be even more keyed up against Chelsea.

The Red Devils will want to get a good result at home against Chelsea, after the Blues came away from Old Trafford with victory on recent occasions.

This is a game United need to test themselves, and say: "Yes, we are champions and we can go out there and retain it."

Good players need to be tested on a regular basis for belief and you need the big games to keep you going. It's why you play for Man United.

From what I've seen of Chelsea, there's nothing there for United to fear.

MAN UNITED v CHELSEA(Tuesday, 3am, SingTel mio TV Ch 102 and StarHub TV Ch 227)

Paul Parker is a former England and Manchester United defender who won two EPL titles and earned 19 caps for his country. He is currently a football pundit with Fox Sports.

Get The New Paper for more stories.