Chelsea will never give thanks for
elimination from the Champions League, but they have at least had a
period of rest after their elimination by Internazionale. Manchester United, on the other hand,
showed the first symptoms of fatigue when losing to Bayern Munich
on Tuesday after taking the lead.
The test here for Sir Alex Ferguson is to come up with a lineup
that has sufficient vigour while also containing the essential
experience for a game that could go far towards determining the
outcome of the Premier League title race.
Kevin McCarra
Venue Old Trafford, Saturday 12.45pm
Tickets Sold out
Last season Manchester United 3 Chelsea 0
Referee M Dean
This season's matches 24 Y97,
R6, 4.29 cards per game
Odds Manchester United 13-8 Chelsea 9-5 Draw
23-10
Subs from Foster, Kuszczak, Scholes, Rafael, J
Evans, Gibson, Obertan, Diouf, Fabio, O'Shea, Park, Hargreaves,
Macheda
Doubtful Hargreaves (match fitness), O'Shea
(thigh)
Injured Brown (foot, 24 Apr), Rooney (ankle, 24
Apr), Owen (hamstring, Aug), Welbeck (knee, Aug), Anderson (knee,
Sep)
Suspended None
Form guide WWWWWL
Disciplinary record Y41 R4
Leading scorer Rooney 26
Subs from Hilário, Turnbull, Belletti, Bruma,
Van Aanholt, Sturridge, Kakuta, Borini, Kalou, Ballack, Matic,
Anelka
Doubtful Ballack (ankle), Drogba (calf),
Hilário (groin)
Injured Ivanovic (knee, 10 Apr), A Cole (ankle,
25 Apr), Carvalho (ankle, May), Essien (knee, May), Bosingwa (knee,
Aug)
Suspended None
Form guide WWDWLW
Disciplinary record Y46 R4
Leading scorer Drogba 24
• Sir Alex Ferguson has lost five of his six managerial
meetings with Carlo Ancelotti
• Since 2004-05, Chelsea have picked up an average of
2.36 points per game in April, while Manchester United have managed
1.81
• Since the start of the 2008-09 season, United have won
10 of the 11 Premier League games that Wayne Rooney has
missed
• Didier Drogba has failed to score in eight Premier
League appearances against United
• The last four goals conceded by United at Old Trafford
have all been from headers
