While such a heavyweight Premier League clash could never be described as a 'free hit', Michael Carrick takes Manchester United to Chelsea this Sunday with expectations at a minimum.
It isn't only the fact that United are still reeling from the abysmal run of defeats that cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer his job, sparking a search for an interim manager - which has been ended by the incoming Ralf Rangnick - before the season is totally written off.
The fact is, United have such a poor record in league games at Stamford Bridge over the past two decades that Chelsea would be the favourites even if they didn't currently top the table.