Chelsea led by 11 points at the end of November but now find themselves just one point ahead of United, with a game in hand, after slipping up a number of times in recent weeks. Chelsea won at Sunderland in August when they began the season so strongly but Chelsea captain John Terry says the team cannot afford to let too many points disappear.
We cannot afford any more slip-ups," he said. "Thankfully the teams in and around us have been slipping up as well, but Arsenal are right back in the frame again. When we beat them 3-0 (in November) I thought they were out of it, to be honest.
"We need to concentrate on ourselves because apart from the Watford game (a 5-0 FA Cup win), when we were brilliant, albeit against a lesser side, we haven't been playing as well.
"Hopefully that game will give us a boost and we can kick on now, and pull away when the other teams are slipping up."
United spent much of the past week in Dubai for some warm weather training and will hope that pays off when they welcome Burnley to Old Trafford.
The Premier League newcomers were responsible for one of the biggest shocks of the season when they beat the champions 1-0 at home in the first month of the season and United will be keen to get their revenge.
Burnley, though, have their own motivation for new manager Brian Laws takes charge of the team for the first time since the departure of Owen Coyle.
"Burnley can't match the finances of a lot of Premier League teams, money will always be tight, but nothing is broken here," Laws said.
"The players are disappointed Owen has left but I like my teams to get the ball down and play good football so nothing will change in that regard.
"Going to Old Trafford, I am like a kid with a new toy."
Third-placed Arsenal, just three points point the leaders after a recent good run, play at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday, giving Manchester City, four points behind them, the chance to get within a point if they can win at Everton.
Outside of the top four, Liverpool will be hoping to quickly overcome their shock FA Cup defeat at home by Reading by winning at Stoke City on Saturday.
Captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres are both doubtful, but new signing Maxi Rodriguez could make his debut for the club after his free transfer move from Atletico Madrid.
At the other end of the table, bottom side Portsmouth face the most in-form side in the league, Birmingham City, while Hull, level on points with Bolton, are away to Tottenham Hotspur. - Sapa-dpa
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