Former Manchester United winger Andrei Kanchelskis believes it is a case of back to the future at Old Trafford with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reintroducing attacking football.

“Everybody looks back to 1993 and 1994 when United had Cantona, Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs, myself and Roy Keane and it was more attacking play.

"It was excellent football and we had some great teams. People liked the football demanded by Sir Alex Ferguson, who was a great coach. He would insist we win, win, win every match and we attacked every match.

Now it is like it was before. Mourinho didn’t like attacking football but Solskjaer does and the people are happy again.”

It is not only the paying public who are delighted at the return of the baby-faced assassin, this time prowling the technical area in a natty blazer rather than the six yard box.

Kanchelskis too is clearly pleased at the temporary appointment that has so far proven to be a huge success.

“I am very, very happy about Solskjaer because he’s a good coach. He has got Manchester United in his bones and he knows what is needed. He was there a long time playing and now I’m so glad that he’s back.

"Whether he stays we will see what happens at the end of the season. At this moment they are best leaving him to coach and giving him a chance.

Belief – along with a good dose of confidence - is at the core of United’s recent resurgence that has seen them claw back a large deficit of points and move up to fourth in the Premier League.

The ex-United, Everton and Rangers wide-man points out that it is not only the team that is benefitting but individuals too.

“Martial is a great player and we see that again now under the different style and system being played.

"It is more relaxed now than under Mourinho and that is why we’re seeing better results for Manchester United because players like Martial are enjoying their football.“

The same is said of Alexis Sanchez who this week candidly admitted to feeling marginalised under the previous regime.

“Sanchez is in a different situation now. Being coached by Mourinho and being coached by Solskjaer is very different. Now he is playing in a different system and is being told that he is wanted. That to me is everything.”

It is not however all peaches and roses and ahead of a monumental M62 derby with Liverpool this Sunday.

The 50 year old – himself presently a coach at Navbahor Namangan in Uzbekistan – doesn’t mince his words when it comes to a superstar whose influence can sometimes wane on the biggest stages.

What they do have however is a terrific goalkeeper whose outstanding and consistent contribution in nets has led to him being voted Player of the Year four times since 2014.

Does this make him an Old Trafford great? Absolutely. Does this make him number one? Kanchelskis thinks not.

“For me De Gea is the big man, a great player. He is the best around at the moment.

"I liken him to Peter Schmeichel because of how much he helps Manchester United but in my opinion Schmeichel was better. He was the best goalkeeper I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The Spaniard will be hoping he doesn’t have to prove his worth too often this weekend as United host their bitter rivals in a ferocious clash expected to have a global audience nudging close to a billion people.

Kanchelskis – a two-time Premier League title winner with the Reds – will certainly be one of them, his allegiance left in no doubt.

"Now Liverpool have a good chance so it would be good if United can help stop them. It would be great. Everybody around the world will be watching this game.”

Andrei Kanchelskis Quickfire Questions

Who will win this weekend, Manchester United or Liverpool?

United, I hope.

Who wins the Premier League title this season?

If Liverpool win on Sunday they have a very good chance of winning the title.

Who Is Going To Win The Champions League?

Juventus have a good chance. They’re a strong team.

The 888sport Handicap Chase is the feature race on an excellent Kempton card and on which we are proud to be sponsoring six of the seven races.

888sport Chase Day has for many a year been one of the last informative horse race meetings to take place in Britain before the very imminent Cheltenham Festival.

Many of the results on Saturday will give us some final pointers towards the Festival, so it will be advisable to keep a close eye on all those Kempton proceedings.

History

Run over a distance of three miles, this Grade 3 was formerly known as the Racing Post Chase (1988-2011) and has had several sponsors since.

As well as giving us some Cheltenham betting clues, the race as often been used as a Grand National trial with both Rhyme 'n' Reason (1988) and Rough Quest (1996) going onto taste Aintree glory in the same season as they ran in this feature race.

Trends (Last 10 Renewals)

10/10 finished in the top five places on their last run.

10/10 winners had at least 3 previous runs over 3 miles or further.

9/10 winners have been rated 138 or higher.

9/10 winners were aged between 7 and 9.

0/10 favourites have won.

Runner-By-Runner Guide

Double Shuffle (Tom George)

Has had this race as his target for some time and his trainer Tom George has won this race twice before with Nacarat in 2009 and 2012.

The nine-year-old is a course specialist at Kempton, having won over the distance and also finishing second to Might Bite in the King George VI Chase in December 2017. He was also the runner-up in this race in 2017.

No reason why he shouldn’t go well at one of his favourite tracks.

Adrien Du Pont (Paul Nicholls)

Another course-and-distance winner and very much one to fear off a BHA rating of 151.

Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old worked his way nicely through the field to score by a comfortable 3½ lengths at Kempton over Christmas, and Harry Cobden is sure to adopt the same waiting tactics on him again here.

Top trainer, up and coming jockey, horse in form – what is there not to like about his chances?

Modus (Paul Nicholls)

Often let down by his jumping but he can turn in a great performance on a going day, as his seasonal return proved when he won a handicap at Cheltenham- just beating Duke Of Navan by a head.

Nine career wins to his name and a Lanzarote Hurdle win back in 2017 are results not to be sniffed at.

Will he or won’t he put it in? That is the question?

Rather Be (Nicky Henderson)

The eight-year-old was considered unlucky when he was brought down in the BetVictor Gold Cup but failed to make amends when he was the well-backed favourite in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, only able to muster fifth place.

Just touched off by Mister Whitaker in the Close Brother Novices' Handicap Chase at the Festival last year, Rather Be is on a recovery mission here.

Talkischeap (Alan King)

Consistency has been his strong suit this season and he was rewarded by winning a two-runner affair at Doncaster in January.

Holds an entry in the RSA Chase at the Festival and is clearly well regarded by his trainer.

Looks a certainty for the top three but in which slot will it be?

Catamaran Du Seuil (Dr Richard Newland)

Finished four lengths second to Calipto at Wincanton last time out, the form of which has been well and truly franked since.

The seven-year-old will be running with the aid of the blinkers again and has had a sizeable break since his last run. Jockey Charlie Hammond is the only claimer in the field and he takes a useful 5lbs off his back.

If he runs anywhere near to that Calipto race he must have a great each-way chance.

Romain De Semain (Paul Nicholls)

The seven-year-old has run some indifferent race this season but he is a much better horse on a decent surface and he will be getting just that on Saturday.

He won 4-runner event at Taunton last time by two lengths from Fox Appeal and is on a very handy mark in this race if he can utilise it.

With conditions ideal, now is the time for the gelding to fulfil some of his early potential.

Glen Rocco (Nick Gifford)

The eight-year-old has been in rude form this season, winning two of his five starts including a 23-length demolition of the field at Kempton last month.

A bold showing in this race will be the green light for taking up one of his many options at Cheltenham next month. Nick Gifford has entered him for four possible races including the National Hunt Chase, the RSA, the Ultima and the Kim Muir.

Up 13lb for his Kempton course-and-distance success, there is no reason why he shouldn’t defy it.

Didero Vallis (Venetia Williams)

Owner Lady Bolton will be hoping for more Saturday success this week after her Calipto, also trained by Venetia Williams, won last weekend.

Williams’ go-to-jockey Charlie Deutsch takes the ride and the signs are again positive for Didero Vallis after his last two performances. A brave win at Carlisle was followed up by a gutsy display at Haydock Park and a hat-trick of wins for the six-year-old is by no means a forlorn hope.

After shouldering 11st 12lb to victory last time out Didero Vallis should find this weight an absolute gift.

Walt (Neil Mulholland)

Walt just failed by the narrowest of margins to get the better of De Rasher Counter at Newbury but the pair of them were well clear of the others that day. Prior to that run, Walt was a runaway winner of a comptitive chase at Taunton.

The lack of runs over this distance is a worry for this eight-year-old son of King’s Theatre.

CONCLUSION

Not all Venetia Williams-trained runners need soft going to be seen at their best and her Didero Vallis can prove his versatility on any surface by taking this famous Kempton race.

888sport suggests: Didero Vallis (e/w).

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

A quirk in the Premier League’s scheduling gives us with two Friday night matches.

Cardiff host Watford in Wales while there is the excitement of a local derby at the London Stadium between an out-of-form West Ham and relegation-battling Fulham.

The League Cup final leaves a depleted Premier League fixture list, with just four fixtures on Saturday and a couple on Sunday before Chelsea and Manchester City face-off at Wembley.

The Friday matches are the centre of our attention for this article...

Cardiff City vs WATFORD

Cardiff have won their last two Premier League matches, putting them a point above the relegation zone. A victory over Southampton in their last league outing was invaluable.

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup already, Neil Warnock’s side had nearly a fortnight to prepare for this match, which could be a benefit against a Watford team that were in Cup action last weekend.

The Hornets are up in eighth at the moment and can overtake Wolves with a victory in Wales on Friday night.

Javi Gracia’s side have been hard to beat all season and have lost just twice in their last 14 in all competitions. The visitors are a tempting 4/11 to avoid defeat.

Gracia has selection decisions to make with Jose Holebas suspended and Roberto Pereyra a doubt. Adam Masina will likely slot in at left-back, but Pereyra’s absence would be key for the visitors.

He has been a difficult player to pick up all season, drifting across the pitch and finding space between the lines. If he is available, the 3/1 price to score anytime looks a solid bet.

Watford have been one of the league’s stronger teams away from home, losing just four league matches on the road all season.

This will be a tough test against a confident Cardiff side, who have put in some impressive performances at home this season. We can expect a competitive match under the lights – both teams to score is 8/11.

The meeting of two teams who will pack the midfield always makes cards probable. A combative 90 minutes is likely. Cardiff’s Harry Arter has seven yellow cards already this season – he looks a good bet at 9/5 to pick up his eighth on Friday.

The visitors are 27/20 to take all three points. Despite Cardiff’s home form, that is a bet worth considering.

TIP: Watford to win @ 27/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Cardiff 1-2 Watford (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)

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WEST HAM UNITED vs Fulham

West Ham have had a difficult 2019 so far. Manuel Pellegrini’s side have gone winless in five matches, including the shock FA Cup defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

The Hammers are 10^th at the moment, but their hopes of a top eight finish are diminishing with every poor result.

There was positivity at Craven Cottage when Claudio Ranieri arrived. That fresh optimism has waned. The defence is not quite as sloppy as it once was, but the attack is now faltering.

The west London club are eight points from safety with 12 matches to play and are nearing ‘need a miracle’ territory. Fulham are the only Premier League team without an away win this season.

They have been nothing short of terrible on the road, losing 11 of their 13 matches so far. Eight goals scored and 32 conceded does not make for pretty reading and makes them the perfect opponents for West Ham.

Ranieri’s side have been losing at half-time and full-time in seven of their last eight league matches. West Ham are a very good price at 7/4 to make that happen again.

Pellegrini received some great news this week as Manuel Lanzini has returned to training. He is still a long way from match fitness, though, and the Hammers’ manager is unlikely to have any of his injured players back for this one.

The main discussion point is right-back, where Ryan Fredericks could get the start ahead of Pablo Zabaleta. After some great football earlier in the campaign, the Hammers’ attack has been less effective in recent weeks.

Felipe Anderson has not had the same space to operate from the left and Marko Arnautovic is without a goal since January 2nd. Facing Fulham will give Arnautovic and Anderson a good chance to return to form. They are 23/20 and 13/8 to score anytime respectively.

The hosts are in at 41/50 to win this one in 888sport’s football betting. A handicap bet looks good value considering Fulham’s woes on the road.

TIP: West Ham to win (-1) @ 21/10

PREDICTED SCORE: West Ham 3-0 Fulham at 13/1

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*