Cristiano Ronaldo does not believe Chelsea are any stronger than
last season despite the acquisitions of Andrei Shevchenko and
Michael Ballack.
United entertain their title rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday and
will be looking to maintain their three point lead over the Blues
or indeed extend their points' advantage.
Ronaldo is relishing the prospect of facing Jose Mourinho's men and
believes the Reds are more than capable of staging a repeat of last
season's 1-0 victory.
"This weekend's game with Chelsea is very vital," Ronaldo told Zoo
Magazine. "We're neck-and-neck with Chelsea and that's a good sign
because we can't allow them to go too far ahead like last year.
We're in a better position to win the league this time.
"Rivalry between us and Chelsea exists and I've experienced it in
each match we've played. But there isn't the same passion as the
Manchester derby or games against Arsenal or Liverpool.
"Perhaps it's because now they are doing well, whereas before it
had always been United at the top.
"I think Chelsea are about the same as they were last year," added
the winger. "The transfers of Shevchenko and Ballack haven't
changed them too much in terms of their superiority to everybody
else.
"They have to work harder to win games. They just do enough to
win."
Ronaldo is a great admirer of his fellow countryman Jose Mourinho
and believes Chelsea may not be as great a force without him.
"He's a great coach and Portuguese, so I can't speak badly of him,"
explained the 21-year-old. "I'd like to see what would happen if he
were to leave Chelsea. Perhaps they'd stop getting good results in
England."
Despite their Champions League blip in Scotland on Tuesday night,
the Portuguese international still insists United have a great
chance of winning every competition they enter this season.
"I think we're capable of winning everything - the Premiership, FA
Cup and the Champions League," he declared. "United are fighting,
as always, to win every trophy."
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