With the fall-out from Jose Mourinho's exit from Stamford Bridge going to take some time to settle, Chelsea are hardly in the best of moods ahead of Sunday's crucial trip to Old Trafford.

In contrast, United are buoyant following a run of four successive victories.

And, while the Red Devils must recover from a trip to Portugal in a day less than Chelsea have to get over the disappointment of their draw with Rosenborg, Queiroz believes United have a major advantage.

"I always believe when you win one game, you win 30% of the next one," he said.

"The travel doesn't cost you anything and the attitude in training will be fantastic, so from a motivational and mental point of view, the victory is priceless ahead of what is such a huge game."

Speaking before news of Mourinho's shock dismissal emerged, Queiroz laughed at talk Chelsea's former boss had been told he must win two of the next six Champions League competitions.

"That is good," he chortled. "Manchester United can win the other four.

"I don't know if Chelsea are setting unrealistic expectations but it is realistic to think Manchester United will win something this season."

United's hopes of achieving that somewhat less lofty aim depend to a significant extent on whether Cristiano Ronaldo can reproduce the form which saw him clinch a cabinet-full of player of the year awards.

The Portugal winger took the first step towards emulating his astounding 23-goal tally by netting United's winner in the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

And Queiroz believes there is much more to come from the 22-year-old.

"I hope Cristiano can take his form from last season's Premier League into the Champions League. We feel he can," said Queiroz.

"He is improving all the time and the more matches he plays, the better he will get.

"He has only just come back from a three-match suspension and it wasn't good for him to be out for that time.

"But we are proud of the way he deals with his situation. He does not react and he does not talk. He just needs to focus on his game and I believe we are going to see great things from him in the Champions League this season."