We'll take unpredictable United on face value, says Lampard

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 at Old Trafford 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.