Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has issued a warning to Manchester United ahead of the Carabao Cup clash at Stamford Bridge.
On the opening day of the season, Lampard suffered a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United in his first competitive match as Chelsea boss.
The clubs have endured contrasting fortunes since, however, with Chelsea impressing both domestically and in Europe and United slipping down the table.
Ahead of Wednesday’s fourth round Carabao Cup meeting, Chelsea are three places and seven points above Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United in the Premier League.
Lampard has suggested he will ring the changes for the home match but insists his team are desperate to fight for every trophy
‘I won’t take this game lightly even if I make changes,’ former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard said.
‘If players do step out of the line up with a view to the coming weeks, it’s about the big picture. I understand how players are but those who start will give everything.
‘[The 4-0 defeat to United] feels a million miles away but I’m not disregarding it. They hurt us four times in a game we played particularly well in.’
Asked whether he viewed the Carabao Cup as an ideal trophy to target, Lampard said: ‘We’ll target them all. It comes earliest in the year and potentially in the quarter-finals early.
‘It would [be a big achievement]. A day at Wembley should never be taken lightly. But not just for the young boys – we’ll give it our all.’
Lampard’s Chelsea beat Burnley 4-2 at the weekend while Manchester United returned to winning ways at Norwich City.
Next weekend Chelsea make the short trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford and Solskjaer’s United visit to Bournemouth.