• Amos set to face Chelsea after rival keepers ruled out • 'I have been waiting a long time for this opportunity'

The goalkeeper Ben Amos is determined to impress at Stamford Bridge if required by Manchester United on Sunday.

After Sir Alex Ferguson endured a "nightmare" Monday, when both Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea were ruled out, Amos was given his chance in Tuesday's Premier League win over Stoke.

Now attention has turned to the weekend when, after joining Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, United must try and stay there by beating Chelsea on their own ground in a top-flight game for the first time since 2002.

Although Ferguson did not offer an update on Lindegaard or De Gea, neither man was included in a list of those who have a chance of being fit for the weekend, which means Amos may be picked for the biggest game of his life.

"I have been waiting a long time for an opportunity this season and thankfully it has come," said the 21-year-old.

"I feel I am ready to play at this level and it has been kind of frustrating that these chances don't come around. But you have to be ready when something like that happens and you are thrown straight in and I like to think I made the most of it."

In truth, Amos had little to do. The only time he was tested was by a Cameron Jerome header, which he smothered at the second attempt.

"In a sense I wanted more to do but then there is a temptation to go and chase things," he said. "You see a lot of keepers with not much experience who try and make an impact, which there is no need to. That is what I had in my head and I think I got that right. Obviously I wanted to be positive with any decisions."

An outfield player in his youth, Amos only became a goalkeeper at his local Bollington club in Macclesfield because his junior team were short of players one day and he was the tallest option.

Amos went on to Crewe, before joining United's academy. After spending half a season on loan at Oldham last year, it was anticipated he would spend more time away from Old Trafford this year.

Instead, he has remained at Old Trafford and featured in all three Carling Cup matches earlier this season.

"All I can do is keep a clean sheet and play the best I can when I get a chance," said Amos. "You have to do the best you can. It is the manager who makes the decisions and all I can do is put pressure on the other two any chance I get."