Just months after that game in Moscow, the rematch, albeit a league fixture against Chelsea hot on the heels of another huge Premier League clash comes a bit too soon for my liking.

Signs look bleak for United. The likes of Ronaldo and Berbatov are not 100%. The rest of the squad were also under-par the last few games. As far as Chelsea is concerned, they are hot – blue-hot. Scolari’s side looks so much more confident than say, a side put out by Avram Grant. Their defensive reinforcement in the shape of Bosingwa was wanted by United before his move to Stamford Bridge, and dear me how he could have sorted out United’s own defence for this game.

But there’s always a saying that everytime United lose a league match, they’ll make up for it the next game. This “backlash” idea has held true in recent years – United never lost twice in a row in that period – but there’s no greater task of any Premier League encounter than to go to Stamford Bridge.

Unbeaten in four years at home is an astonishing record. Last time it took a goalkeeping error by Cudicini to hand Arsenal the three points, but since then some have come close but failed.

There is solace that if there is a side to break that record it would be United. The sweet victory that ended Arsenal’s 49-game unbeaten run still lingers in any United fan’s memory. It’s due time to break another, and hand Scolari the reality of the Premier League – that anyone can beat anyone else.

Call me foolish but I’m praying to the stars for a United win. I’ve faced enough humiliation since last week so it’s time for the footballing gods to give mercy.