Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says their season will finally kick into action if they can win at Chelsea tomorrow.
He said: "I am excited about getting my first real win. We beat Portsmouth but we want a real good win to get the show on the road again. We don't want to come away from there trailing Chelsea by nine points. We don't want to be nine points behind anyone.
"When you play the big ones, you want to get a good haul and last year we did very well against the other top four teams. This time we have lost the first one already and we can't afford to lose another one. So obviously we have a big job to do - but the players will be up for it.
"Chelsea have only dropped two points but they dropped them at home and with the ability we have in the team I think they respect us. They know full well Manchester United can win it. Obviously we got a disappointing result last Saturday and we have to do something about it. That's the nature of this football club and we've done it really well over the years."
United have taken just one point from the last 15 at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have started life under Phil Scolari in flying fashion.
But the champions have proved time and again they are at their best when their backs are against the wall - and Fergie does not think this one will be any different.
He added: "Their home records has been fantastic and that's been the foundation for what success they have had over the last four years. But I don't think this is a test of character for my team. That's already been well established, there are no doubts about that.
"It's a good challenge with the number of games since they've lost at home. A lot of people don't expect us to win, which is unusual for this club.
"What we have to do is recover from a bad defeat, and everyone gets one from time to time, so that's the challenge - let's get on with it.
"All I'm looking for is my team to start putting the ball into the net. If we could do that it'd turn the whole thing around - but it will come.
"By October we will be fine, no question in my mind about that. If the players perform as they are, it will come."
