The UEFA Champions League is Chelsea’s only realistic shout of silverware this season and Ancelotti’s side produced a professional display in winning 2-0 in Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
The first-leg success sets the Blues on the way towards a quarter-final place and Ancelotti will now turn his focus to next week’s Premier League clash with leaders United.
Chelsea are battling to secure a top-four finish and their prospects were given a boost by Tottenham Hotspur’s defeat at Blackpool.
Victory over United will lift Chelsea back into fourth spot and Ancelotti is keen for his players to maintain the standards shown in the Danish capital.
“We don’t have to be happy for Tottenham’s defeat, but it was good news for us,” said Ancelotti.
“Now we have to play against United and try and put in the same performance.”
Motivation
Ancelotti refused to get carried away with Tuesday’s result, which came against a Copenhagen side playing their first competitive match since Danish football’s two-and-a-half month winter shutdown.
Asked if their miserable run was over, the Italian said: “I don’t want to say. I’ve suggested that once or twice before.
“We had a lot of motivation for this game, but now we have to continue it.
“United will be a fantastic opportunity for us to maintain the same level of football.”
He continued: “We are still alive. I had an idea before the game, and I maintain the same idea now.
“We are not dead. It’s just one game, though. I want to see my team play again, again, again.”
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Carlo Ancelotti Wants United Repeat