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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