Chelsea coach Frank Lampard is anticipating a tough game when they face Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday night as their rivals have bolstered their squad with the signing of Odion Ighalo and Bruno Fernandes in the January transfer window.

In the race for a Champions spot, fourth-placed Chelsea hold a six-point lead on eighth-placed Manchester United, so
Ole Gunnar Solskjær's team cannot afford to drop points.

While Shanghai Greenland Shenhua 's Ighalo joined United on loan for the remainder of the Premier League campaign, attacking midfielder Fernandes was acquired on a permanent basis from Sporting CP and showed glimpses of his quality on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Speaking to reporters at Friday's pre-match press conference, Lampard said : "They are a good team, have added some players (Ighalo and Fernandes) in January. I do expect a tough game on Monday and it’s a direct rival.

"With football that gaps can chop and change. We are aware of the points, United and Spurs are big games."

In the reverse fixture back in August 2019, United comfortably beat Chelsea 4-0 thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford (2), Anthony Martial and Daniel James.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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