Chelsea and Man United were kicking lumps out of each other long before the present-day players were born. Here, in 1970, United legend George Best dabbles in a spot of kung fu with Charlie Cooke at Stamford Bridge
Mercurial Welsh winger Mickey Thomas (centre) was one of many individuals to have represented each club. Others include Mark Hughes and Juan Sebastian Veron, while Tommy Docherty and Dave Sexton managed both
Chelsea spent the early 1980s in the second tier of English football as United searched in vain for an elusive league title. Here, Remi Moses (left) and Gordon Durie battle it out at Old Trafford in 1987
With Alex Ferguson settled at the managerial helm, silverware began to flow for United. Eric Cantona put two penalties in exactly the same place as United clinched their first Double, beating Chelsea in the 1994 FA Cup final
Despite United's overall supremacy, Chelsea still proved a thorn in their side - especially at Old Trafford. Gianluca Vialli, a member of an increasingly cosmopolitan squad, grabbed the winner in 1996 as United suffered a rare loss
Chelsea and United have met five times in the FA Charity Shield, now the Community Shield, in the past 15 years. The Red Devils have won three of them, as they did here in 1997 despite Gianfranco Zola's unique magic
United also avenged the 1996 league defeat with a stunning 5-3 win at Stamford Bridge in next season's FA Cup as David Beckham and Teddy Sheringham - both London born - hit three goals between them for the visitors
Chelsea got their own back in 1999 by thrashing United - who had clinched the League, FA Cup and Champions League treble just months earlier - 5-0 in a heated match during which midfielder Nicky Butt was sent off
The Blues also convincingly beat United two seasons later in 2001, this time with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford. Juan Sebstian Veron (right), an expensive signing who failed to justify the fee, did not flourish at Chelsea either
United's last league win at the Bridge came nine years ago when Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored in a 3-0 victory. Since then, Chelsea have won five and drawn three of eight league games with United in London
10 May, 2005: Manchester United form a guard of honour for champions Chelsea at Old Trafford before going on to lose 3-1 to a side completely invigorated by new Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho
What a disaster for England's hopes of World Cup glory in Germany: John Terry breaks Wayne Rooney's metatarsal weeks before the 2006 tournament starts as Chelsea win on the way to the Premier League title
Jose Mourinho, the architect behind Chelsea's first league title since 1950, achieves another rare feat: getting the better of Sir Alex Ferguson. Here, his assistants argue with the Scot as Chelsea clinch the 2007 FA Cup
It is 2008 now, and Chelsea force the title race right to the wire as Michael Ballack's two goals bring them level with United with two games left to play. But it is a revamped Ferguson team who emerge as title winners...
... but not before his players - with French left-back Patrice Evra chief amongst them - clash with Chelsea groundstaff after their Ballack-inspired defeat in what is now infamously known as the "Battle of the Bridge"
Weeks later and United emerge with the ultimate honour after beating Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow. Little love is lost between Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole, upon whom so much will focus on Tuesday
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