Evra return adds spice to Sunday's tasty clash

But the player I shall be watching more than anyone else and seeing how he performs is Patrice Evra.

Sir Alex Ferguson is sure to put the French International back in the side after a four-game ban following his bust-up with a Chelsea groundsman at Stamford Bridge last season and this will give the game even more of an edge than normal. Chelsea have now taken over Arsenal's mantel as Ferguson's biggest rivals.

At its height, the battles between the Gunners and United were intense and sometimes went overboard.

Remember Martin Keown trying to throttle Ruud van Nistlerooy and 'Pizzagate', when Ferguson was hit in the face with a slice of Italian food in another.

The arrival of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge changed the established order. Now, the Evra incident has created a little ill-feeling between the two that has not been as evident before despite them finishing in the top two for the past three seasons.

It would be wrong to concentrate solely on Evra's misdemeanour. In the crazy month that is January, when clubs are offering inflated prices for players, the 27 year old has been one of the few successes to come in at this stage of the season.

It three years since Evra joined United for a fee of around £5.5million from AS Monaco.

After his first game, against Manchester City, United fans must have wanted to send him straight back.

He was hauled off at half-time in their 3-1 defeat and it took the Frenchman some time to adapt. But Ferguson kept faith with him and he has responded by becoming one of United's most consistent players ever since.

His return will be a big boost for the Reds. The versatile John O'Shea has done a commendable job in his absence but Evra adds another dimension.

He is a very good defender who won't get beaten for pace and relishes any one-on-ones with opponents. His lack of height is not a problem either as his positional sense is so good and he gives players a little 'nudge' to put them off if he can't win headers cleanly.

But he really comes in to his own going forward. When United have the ball he plays like a winger, getting forward as much as possible and, unlike a lot of widemen, his final ball is excellent.

He is the perfect modern-day full back. Quick, strong in the tackle and a good defender who loves to get forward.

While many might be watching the more celebrated stars in Sunday's game, United's left back may prove to be the matchwinner.