Manchester United will have one eye on its upcoming match with Chelsea when it travels to Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Red Devils lead the league with 31 points _ three more than two-time defending champions Chelsea _ and will aim to keep that buffer ahead of the top-of-the-table clash at Old Trafford on Nov. 26.
``The game with Chelsea will be a massive one and we want to be going into it with a three-point lead,'' Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said.
``The consistency factor comes in to play now. After the game with Chelsea, you then go into the December program which is always congested, tense and exhausting for everyone.''
United hasn't won the English title since 2003. It only won the League Cup last season, but was knocked out in the fourth round this time by League Championship club Southend on Nov. 7.
It will be United's first league visit to Bramall Lane (Rogers Sportsnet, 10 a.m. ET) since the 1993-94 season.
``Chelsea's excellent starts to the last two league campaigns are the main reason why they've won the title,'' Ferguson said. ``They've left us all catching our breath, but thankfully we've enjoyed a good opening to the season this time round.''
Ferguson will be pleased that Wayne Rooney emerged injury-free after breaking his year-long international scoring drought in England's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in a friendly on Wednesday.
But winger Ryan Giggs injured his ankle in Wales' 3-0 win over Liechtenstein on Tuesday.
In other Saturday matches, it's: Chelsea vs. West Ham; Manchester City vs. Fulham (Rogers Sportsnet, 7:30 a.m. ET); Arsenal vs. Newcastle; Everton vs. Bolton (Fox Sports World Canada, 5 p.m. ET delay); Portsmouth vs. Watford; Reading vs. Charlton; and Middlesbrough vs. Liverpool (Rogers Sportsnet, 12:30 p.m. ET).
On Sunday, Wigan hosts Aston Villa and Tottenham travels to Blackburn (Fox Sports World Canada, 11 a.m. ET).
Chelsea and Arsenal also had a number of players on international duty on Wednesday.
Didier Drogba, who has scored 14 goals for Chelsea in all competitions this season, added his 15th as the Ivory Coast beat Sweden 1-0. He had a hat trick in the Blues' 4-0 win over Watford last week.
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry scored for France in a 1-0 win over Greece, bringing him within two goals to breaking Michel Platini's all-time scoring record of 41.
The Gunners are third with 21 points _ ahead of Aston Villa and Bolton on goal difference _ but it has played a game less.
Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given played in his first game since perforating his bowel in September as Ireland beat San Marino 5-0 in a European Championship qualifier. He's likely to be named in the squad to play Arsenal.
Les Reed takes control of his first game in charge of Charlton after replacing Iain Dowie on Tuesday. Dowie was the first manager fired in the Premier League season with Charlton last after 12 games.
Reed, who was Dowie's assistant, said Charlton's players were ``surprised and shocked'' at his departure after only six months.
``It's only fair they have to come to terms with the situation, almost like a grieving process, but I'm sure they will give everything on Saturday to make sure we get three points,'' Reed said.
In the League Championship, leader Cardiff plays Queens Park Rangers on Friday. On Saturday, Preston is at Leicester and Birmingham hosts Wolverhampton.
Cardiff has 36 points, followed by Preston and Birmingham with 33.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
