If Manchester United beat Chelsea for a third time this season on Monday night, Frank Lampard will be kicking himself.

The Red Devils travel to Stamford Bridge for a pivotal encounter in the race for a Champions League spot.

In terms of quality and performance, there’s little to separate the two sides. Some among the Chelsea contingent would even suggest they edge a head-to-head comparison. Yet, it’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his side who have emerged victorious in previous meetings this term.

It’s more a source of chagrin than comfort for Lampard that on both occasions his side enjoyed more possession and significant spells of dominance. The Red Devils were lethal in the transitions though and created sufficient goal-scoring opportunities.

A 4-0 victory at Old Trafford on the opening day of the Premier League flattered United while a 2-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge in the League Cup was a fairer reflection of events on the pitch. In both matches though, Chelsea were lured into a trap and must show more guile on this occasion. After all, they hold all the cards.

The news of Manchester City’s suspension from the Champions League for the next two seasons for FFP violations has reverberated across European football and has seismic implications in the Premier League. While that represents better odds for United’s European ambitions, it’s more of a security blanket from where Chelsea sit, unless they’re careless and forgo this welcome cushion in the name of vengeance.

Several parallels and comparisons have been drawn with United and Chelsea this season with their young managers, both legends of their respective clubs, at the forefront. Lampard though must resist the temptation to get one over his counterpart by chasing victory and risking his side’s advantage.

That’s easier said than done. United are still reeling from a number of key injuries including those to Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay and have lost three and drawn one of their last five league fixtures. Simply put, they’re there for the taking.

But going on the offensive is precisely the approach Solskjaer will hope Chelsea adopt. His flimsy midfield would struggle to dictate play while an attack blunted by Rashford’s absence appears short of ideas. The counter-attack has served them well against top-six opposition and is their chief weapon, if not their only one.

Bruno Fernandes struggled to make an impact on debut during a goalless stalemate at home to Wolves but present him with opportunities on the break and the Portuguese’s vision and threatening passes could dismantle Chelsea’s back-line. Deny them this avenue to goal and Lampard neutralises the only real danger the visitors pose.

Adopting a more cautious approach, particularly at home and against a side he will be desperate to defeat goes against every fibre of his being. But there’s no question that it’s the smart play.

Even with a conservative strategy, Chelsea have every chance of beating United and stretching their advantage to a commanding nine points. At the very least, a draw maintains a substantial seven-point lead and consolidates their place in the top five.

Opening up and going for the jugular would be hugely satisfying and has its benefits too, not least of which being the statement it would make. But it also gives United a sniff and could see their lead chopped down to just three points and even put their top-five status in jeopardy with the likes of Sheffield United, Tottenham and Wolves lurking.

United’s need for victory far outweighs that of Chelsea’s. Lampard surely recognises this. He just has to be shrewd enough to exploit it even at the expense of his principles.