Mikel puts Champions League blues well and truly behind him

Luiz Felipe Scolari has been among those insisting tomorrow's clash at Stamford Bridge is not a revenge mission for Moscow, with one difference from that clash likely to be Mikel anchoring Chelsea's midfield.

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At stake this time is Chelsea extending their six-point lead over United in the early stages of the Premier League title race.

"Last season was a big, big disappointment for us because we got to the final and lost on penalties, as everyone knows," Mikel said.

"But since then we've regrouped ready for this season's competition, put the disappointment behind us and now we're only looking forward.

"What happened in Moscow is gone. It's history. We don't even think about it."

Although Mikel is almost reluctant to be the next Claude Makelele - he is disciplined enough to resist urges to break forward - his role so far this season has been central to Scolari's style.

The Brazilian coach, bringing his samba style to the Premier League, uses full-backs Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole effectively as wingers when Chelsea have the ball, with Mikel dropping back almost into central defence.

Without the ball, Mikel sits in the role named after his predecessor, protecting the defence.

"I think he prefers me playing in that holding midfield role," Mikel said.

"That job is all about how you read the game, your positioning and being in the right place at the right time.

"And if he thinks I can do all of that well, then of course I'm happy to play there."

Mikel is happy to play where Scolari wants but also offered a reminder that there is more to his game than being defensive.

"When Maka was here I was playing well," he said.

"We often played together in the same side so holding midfield is not the only position I can play.

"I think Maka is a great person and was a fantastic personality in the Chelsea team. Everyone here respected him a lot and we know what a great player he is - so much so that he had a position named after him.

"But I always just try to get on with my own game and focus on doing my own thing. We're two totally different players and we don't necessarily play the same way.

"For example, I tend to go forward a bit more, whereas he likes to sit back."

Mikel's versatility is what attracted Chelsea and United in 2005 when the Nigeria midfielder was at Norwegian side Lyn Oslo.

The 21-year-old famously held a press conference where he paraded a United shirt, only to then join Chelsea in a deal which is thought to be worth £16million.

It is just one of the links between the two clubs when they face each other - Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return for United and has a relationship with Scolari after playing under him with Portugal.

Former United midfielder Ray Wilkins has returned to Chelsea as assistant first-team coach, while former United assistant Carlos Queiroz took over from Scolari as Portugal boss.

Adding to the spice is last season's "Battle of the Bridge" when Patrice Evra clashed with Chelsea staff during United's warm-down.

Despite this, Scolari insisted: "For my players, it's one more game. Three points against United are the same three points as against Stoke City, Wigan or Portsmouth. The same.

"I didn't say anything about revenge this week. We need to win three points."