MOURINHO HAS WIN ON HIS MIND

Jose Mourinho takes his Chelsea side to Old Trafford on Sunday shunning the conservative approach to instead chase a victory over Manchester United and an extension to the Premier League leaders' unbeaten start to the season.

Mourinho will play against one-time mentor Louis van Gaal for the second time in competitive matches, bidding to build on the Blues' seven wins in eight Premier League matches so far this season.

Last season, just three games into his second spell as Chelsea boss, Mourinho opted against fielding a recognised striker at Old Trafford.

This time Chelsea travel with a win on their minds.

"Try (for) the best result as always," Mourinho said.

"Try to play as good as we are playing and we are always trying to play, respecting an opponent that is one of the best and most difficult in the Premier League.

"We are confident, we are in a good moment, in a good situation and there is no reason for us to change our feeling.

"We play against a big team, yes, we know that, but we feel ourselves in a very good moment."

Mourinho is prepared to risk the fitness of striker Diego Costa, who has scored nine goals in seven Premier League games and is recovering from a hamstring problem and viral infection.

Loic Remy (groin) is out, while midfielders John Obi Mikel (foot) and Ramires (groin) could return alongside forward Andre Schurrle (illness).

Thibaut Courtois is to return in goal after Petr Cech started Tuesday night's match against Maribor and Filipe Luis is likely to play at left-back with Cesar Azpilicueta suspended.

Cesc Fabregas, who was linked with United in recent seasons, has been key to Chelsea's form this term since signing from Barcelona.

But Mourinho is confident his side can adapt if United try to shut down the Spain playmaker, just as Crystal Palace tried last weekend.

The Blues boss added: "If he doesn't run (the game), somebody runs it. Against Crystal Palace he had individual police and we played without him in the first half when he had that individual policing.

"We are very confident about ourselves. I'm not interested in thinking which team Man United play, who is playing, who is not playing. I'm not interested.

"We are playing well, we are confident, we are top of the league, we are in a good position.

"The camp is happy and we are ready for the game."