Giggs warns United will have to be at their very best to end Stamford Bridge hoodoo

Ryan Giggs knows Manchester United will have to stop a flying Chelsea side to end their Stamford Bridge woes.

A midweek Champions League blip aside, the Blues have made a superb start to the season and were four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League heading into this weekend's action.

United are the next side to attempt to cut them down - and they will move within a point of Roberto Di Matteo's men if they do so - but recent history is against them with no league win at Chelsea since 2002.

The visitors will take encouragement from last season's recovery from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 - and their 2011 Champions League semi-final win - but the London side, energised by Di Matteo's summer changes, look in prime form.

Veteran midfielder Giggs said: 'Sometimes new players settle in straight away and that seems to be the case at Chelsea.

'They've got off to a great start this season, particularly in the league. We're going to have to play well if we're going to get a result.

'I don't know why we've found it so tough (there). In the 1990s we used to go there and win quite regularly.

'Obviously when Jose Mourinho came and they won the league it was always a tough place to go.

'I'm really not sure why it's been so tough for us. Last year we can take heart from how well we played and I think we probably deserved to win.

'We came back from three goals down and managed to draw 3-3. Also, in the Champions League a couple of years ago, we played well and won.

'I think we've shown good form there in the last few years but just haven't got the results we've wanted.'

Chelsea made a similarly impressive start two years ago but eventually fell away and United went on to claim the title.

Last season they failed to mount a significant push for the crown but powered to glory in the Champions League with a late charge.

With Di Matteo now more established, the capital club have clearly built on that success and Giggs is sure they are capable of sustaining a challenge to regain the title they last won in 2010.

The 38-year-old said: 'I don't know if they're the real deal but what they have got is that experience and the know-how of how to win a league.

'Obviously, having added to the squad like they have done, they're going to be right up there this season, no doubt.

'Come the crunch, if they're there or thereabouts, they've got the experience like ourselves, like probably (Manchester) City now, to go all the way.

'I expect them to be up there at the end of the season.'

Chelsea lost 2-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine on Tuesday but that has not stopped pundits purring over their display in winning 4-2 at Tottenham last weekend.

Juan Mata underlined his growing importance to the side by capping a brilliant all-round display with two goals while new signings Eden Hazard and Oscar continued to impress. Giggs can see how the team is evolving.

He said: 'I think it is a different sort of Chelsea team. In past years they've had Didier Drogba's power and the runs through from midfield of Frank Lampard.

'We've always thought of Chelsea as a big, strong, powerful team. They've still got that but they've added the likes of Oscar and Eden Hazard, and Juan Mata is into his second season and coming along nicely.

'They've got clever players who can play in the pockets and make it difficult for teams.'

Giggs might be hoping to feature, but may again have to settle for a place on the bench having so far only been used sparingly by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Wales international, now in his 22nd season with the Red Devils, has made just six appearances this term - three of them as substitute.

United will be without forward Shinji Kagawa, who has been ruled out for four weeks after suffering a knee injury in the midweek win over Braga.