THERE is a sense of definite deja vu about this campaign - and that will only be enhanced by early European qualification tonight against CSKA Moscow.

Ensuring a place in the knockouts with two games to spare would be perfect and actually 90 minutes earlier than last season.

Last term United reached the last 16 with one game to go at a time when our Premier League form was particularly up and down.

On November 8 last year United went to Arsenal and were beaten at the Emirates leaving the Reds trailing the Big Four and a whopping eight points off leaders Chelsea.

Chelsea were immensely strong, powerful and winning well.

They were the favourites to win the title and their new boss Phil Scolari looked to have taken to the English game like a duck to water.

So I am not unduly concerned going to Chelsea this Sunday still searching for our best form while the Londoners, under Carlo Ancelotti in his first season in the Premeir League, are sweeping all before them and rattling up big scores.

United stamina

That just goes to show how much of a marathon the season is.

Twelve months ago it was doom and gloom after we lost at the Emirates and everyone was raving about Chelsea's form. It's a bit like this season after losing at Anfield against Liverpool and still not hitting our peak while Chelsea blast Bolton and are flavour of the month.

I am not suggesting Ancelotti will go the same way as Scolari did in February just three months after everyone thought he was the bees knees, but it goes to prove the point that nothing is decided in November.

Even defeat this Sunday at Stamford Bridge wouldn't be a major disaster.

However, after losing that showdown on Merseyisde I think United need to perform well and get something.

Going into it knowing that we can look forward to December's European knockout draw already would be perfect.

United are still looking for the goalscoring form that Chelsea have acquired and after a professional performance in Moscow two weeks ago it would be good to sharpen the knife a bit tonight against CSKA in readiness for the London trip.

What do you think? Have your say.