Chelsea could not have scheduled a better time to take on Manchester United as both teams go head-to-head in the clash of the top 2 in the English Premier League this Saturday. The winner at Old Trafford will have all but one hand on the League Title and Chelsea will certainly fancy their chances against a United team without Wayne Rooney.
The Big Clash
No Rooney for United
Sir Alex Ferguson will hope his week does not get more miserable after seeing his side go down to Bayern Munich midweek in the Champions League. United returned from Munich not just with a 2-1 defeat (and a horrible performance) but also without key man Wayne Rooney. The leading scorer in the Premier League this season twisted his ankle towards the end of that encounter and has been ruled out for at least 2 weeks. Dimitar Berbatov will take his place and Ferguson will hope that the Bulgarian replicates his last weekend’s performance against Bolton in this all-important clash.
Wayne Rooney will definitely be missed
Chelsea in hot form
With the FA Cup the only trophy in the cabinet in the last three years, Roman Abramovich is desperate for the League title this year, especially after being knocked out of the Champions League by Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan. Chelsea have since found their gear, scoring 12 goals in the last 2 matches, including the 7-1 whopping of Aston Villa last week. That performance, along with a blank mid-week, would give Carlo Ancelotti confidence of achieving a league double over United at Old Trafford.
Chelsea have won just twice in last 10 at Old Trafford
United – A Champion side
Winning in the face of adversity is the hallmark of champion sides. And Manchester United are a champion side. Time and again, there have been questions raised against United. And each time the Red Devils have displayed a remarkable strength of character. The importance of Wayne Rooney for this United team can not be denied. He has played a key role in keeping United alive in both the Premier League and the Champions League. However, United are not a one-man team. Many pundits had written United off at the start of the season after Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez departed. United, however, have proved their detractors wrong and are still in the hunt for the top prizes in England and Europe.
i Predict United 2 Chelsea 1
Chelsea have won just twice in their last 10 matches at the Theatre of Dreams. I expect United’s strength to ensure record remains intact.
