Changes Since Last Chelsea Game

There are no two ways about it - Manchester United's Premier League defeat against Chelsea back in October was a tough pill to swallow. However, it's one that the Reds have washed down nicely.

It's often the case that, for better or worse, one result can greatly affect the remainder of a season. Indeed, since that 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho's men have been unbeaten in the league - reason enough to suggest the Reds can return to West London on Monday confident of a better outcome.

Below, we look deeper into that sequence of results, as well as other aspects that have altered in the months since that last meeting between the sides.

UNBEATEN RUN

As we mentioned, the Reds' Premier League form improved significantly after suffering three defeats in the first nine games. Wins over Tottenham, West Ham and, more recently, champions Leicester City have been the standout results in a 16-match unbeaten run in the top flight. In fact, United's only defeat in the last 28 matches across all competitions was at Hull City in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final - and the Reds still won that tie on aggregate of course.

It's been a similar story for Chelsea, who have gone from strength to strength at the top of the table and currently hold a 10-point lead over Tottenham Hotspur, the only side they have lost to in the league since back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal in September. However, the Blues were knocked out of the EFL Cup by West Ham, who went on to lose 4-1 to United in the quarter-finals.

PROLIFIC STRIKERS

United and Chelsea have been inspired by the form of forwards Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Diego Costa respectively in recent months and both men remain in contention for the Golden Boot. Imposing, clever and technically-sound players, both fit the mould of a modern-day Premier League striker. It is perhaps surprising that neither of them scored when their sides met in late October, although they have scored their fair share of goals since. Ibrahimovic has 26 strikes in all competitions to Costa's 18 (it's worth pointing out that Chelsea are not competing in Europe this season) but the Swede will be absent on Monday as he begins a three-match domestic ban. Meanwhile, the Spain striker is expected to lead the line for Antonio Conte's side.

MORE SILVERWARE

In terms of the trophy cabinet at Old Trafford, there has been a notable new addition since our last meeting with the Blues. Last month's Wembley triumph over Southampton gave United a 41st major honour and Jose Mourinho a fourth League Cup as a manager, having previously won the competition three times across two spells with Chelsea. The memorable 3-2 win follows the Community Shield victory over Leicester at the start of the season and, as current holders of the FA Cup, the Reds will be as determined as ever to book another date at the national stadium and join Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham in the semi-finals.

MICKI MAGIC

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's start in England had stalled by the time United went to Chelsea on 23 October, with the Armenian not among the 18 players on duty that afternoon. Fast forward five months, and 'Micki' has become a key weapon in the Reds' armoury. In his last seven appearances, he has been directly involved in six goals (assisting two and scoring four, including the opener at FC Rostov on Thursday). He's also won three consecutive Goal of the Month awards at the club and United fans will hope to see him chasing a fourth at Chelsea's expense.

TOP SUPPORT

While there's definitely nothing new about United's travelling support being regarded as the best in the country, it's well worth noting that the Reds will be backed by over 6,000 fans on Monday night, around double the allocation granted for October's league meeting. The club's biggest away following of the season came during the last round of the FA Cup, when 7,188 supporters roared on Mourinho's men at Blackburn, and Marouane Fellaini believes the backing will be vital again. "It's good for us," the Belgian told ManUtd.com. "The United fans are great and I hope they'll do everything to help us win the game, because it will be a tough game at Chelsea. We lost there a few months ago but this will be a completely different game - it's the FA Cup and we'll go there and see what happens. We will show our qualities there."