Sources close to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich have dismissed claims he is snubbing today's massive game at Manchester United.

The Russian oligarch regularly takes his holiday over the Orthodox Christmas, which is on January 7, meaning he misses games at an intense time of the Premier League season.

"These stories come out every year at this time," a source close to the owner told the Mail on Sunday. "And every year since he's been at the club he's taken a holiday at this time."

Abramovich will be back watching games later this month and his recent attendance at an unglamorous midweek Champions League game in Bordeaux did not suggest a man out of love with the club.