Manchester United v Chelsea – Match Preview: UEFA Champions League
As Manchester United prepare to take on Chelsea in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney and co. will be gunning for a result against the Blues following their one goal to nil win at Stamford Bridge a week
ago. Let us take a look at how both teams will line up for this tie in question scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 12th of April, 2011.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were the underdogs when both teams played at Stamford Bridge last week, but are now the current favourites heading into the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea. After securing a vital away win at
in London, United will be looking to gain a place in the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club cup competition for the third time in the last four years when they take the field at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have been impervious at their home stadium this season as they have yet to lose a single match at the Theatre of dreams. Additionally, Ferguson’s team remains unbeaten in their last five fixtures in all competitions. Manchester United also
won their latest league fixture on the weekend against Fulham, thus they head into this encounter against Chelsea in high spirits.
Chelsea
Chelsea need to pull off an against the odds job at Old Trafford if they are to save their 2010-2011 season. Out of the English Premier League title race and already eliminated for other cup competitions, such as the F.A Cup and the Carling Cup, the Blues
need to win against Manchester United on Tuesday night in order to keep themselves in the running for silverware this season.
Chelsea won their last English Premier League fixture against Wigan Athletic on the weekend; however, their main worry remains the ineffectiveness of Fernando Torres. The Spanish striker has not scored since his 50 million pound move from Liverpool to the
London giants. The Blues have won three out of their last five competitive fixtures. Regardless, Carlo Ancelotti’s team can take heart from the fact that they won last time they faced Manchester United at Old Trafford near the end of the 2009-2010 English
Premier League season.
Team News
Wayne Rooney is expected to start for the Red Devils following his exclusion from Manchester United’s match day squad against Fulham on the weekend. United’s only real injury worry is their Brazilian full back, Rafael da Silva. Owen Hargreaves is also sidelined
for the Red Devils due to his fitness issues.
Expected Manchester United line up: Van Der Sar, O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez
On the other hand, Chelsea has a fully fit squad as Yossi Benayoun recently returned from his knee injury. Carlo Ancelotti has a selection dilemma ahead of the encounter against Manchester United due to Fernando Torres’ woeful form for the Blues.
Expected Chelsea line up: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Ramirez, Anelka, Drogba
Key Players
Manchester United will look towards their star striker, Wayne Rooney to produce another match winning display. The ex-Everton forward has been in a sparkling run of form for Ferguson’s team as he has contributed with 10 goals and 10 assists to their title
charge in the English Premier League, and two goals and one assist to their UEFA Champions league campaign.
Alternatively, Chelsea’s main man has to be their tried and tested war dog, Didier Drogba. Drogba’s phenomenal record for the Blues has suffered a bit this season but the Ivorian target-man was Chelsea’s best player against Manchester United in the first
leg at Stamford Bridge until Ancelotti substituted him in the second half. If Chelsea intends to go through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Drogba will be the key that they will require unlocking Manchester United’s miserly defence.
Prediction
Manchester United are expected to gain a scored draw in this fixture, coupled with their away win that should be enough to seal their passage through to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Prediction: 1-1.
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