Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho still considers Manchester United a title contenders, as the two teams prepare to meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues hold all the cards in the Premier League title race, with a seven-point lead and a game in hand over the chasing pack.
United are a point behind second-placed Arsenal in third, but Mourinho is still wary of the threat posed by Louis van Gaal’s side.
“Their squad is amazing,” he said.
“Every week, on a big screen, I have their squad and all their options. I realise what they have and it’s amazing.
“They are fighting for the title. [Van Gaal] isa big, big friend. Because we are in the same league, we don’t speak every week.
“Mourinho is set to come across Juan Mata, who left west London for Manchester last year and, despite being voted Player of the Year in his two seasons at the capital club, was put on the market by Mourinho.
The Spaniard scored both goals for the Red Devils in their recent defeat of Liverpool, and will undoubtedly be hoping that he can make his former boss sorry to have sold him.
“I have no thoughts on Juan Mata,” Mourinho added. “He is a player with an history in this club, everyone has respect for him as a player.
“If things are going well, everyone is happyfor him. He is a very correct boy and a great professional.”