Ruud van Nistelrooy has urged his team mates to improve their home form if Manchester United are to seriously challenge Chelsea this season.
Although United have won six games on the road already this season, last month's victory over Jose Mourinho's side was only the Red Devils second at Old Trafford.
Manchester City and Tottenham have both left the Theatre of Dreams with a point, while Blackburn grabbed all three thanks to Morten Gamst Pedersen's late winner.
With back-to-back home games against strugglers Portsmouth and Everton to come in the next fortnight, van Nistelrooy wants Old Trafford to be turned into a fortress once more.
He said: “We have matched Chelsea away from home, but we have dropped seven points at home whereas they have won all their games. That is the difference between us.”
Since last winning the title in 2003, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have found it difficult to break down teams who arrive at Old Trafford content to defend.
Many observers cite the loss of David Beckham's crossing ability as the major reason for the problem. However van Nistelrooy just feels the tactic is now more common - and one United need to address.
He said: “We can improve on playing in our opponents' half and keeping them under pressure all the time. But we have to see where we can improve because that is the way we will become successful.”
Van Nistelrooy is set for a recall after sitting out Wednesday's Carling Cup win over West Brom, with strike partner Wayne Rooney, goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and midfielder Alan Smith all set to return tomorrow against Pompey tomorrow.
