Nani scares the life out of Ivanovic
The Rooney Factor
Probably due to some underwhelming international performances, some still question the worth of Wazza. But very few Manchester United fans would pick anyone before their beloved scouser. When he plays well, Manchester United usually win. Some opine that RVP is now the main man at Manchester United but without Rooney the Dutchman is not nearly as dangerous. Rooney makes Manchester United tick and if Chelsea can keep him quiet they have a great chance.
United’s defence
Manchester United have quality defenders but, with Vidic, Smalling and Jones out long term and Ferdinand also injury prone, they are down to bare bones. Huge holes appeared in the Champions League game against Braga and some think that United are also vulnerable down the ageing Evra’s flank. Chelsea need to use the width of the park to stretch United’s defence.
Possession
It’s nine tenths of the football law and both sides are used to having the lion’s share of it. Manchester United are perhaps not as good without the ball as they used to be. But with it, they are more potent than ever. Remember the mammoth game at Stamford Bridge last season? Chelsea dominated United until The Reds brought on Paul Scholes after an hour. With more of the ball United were devastating. Chelsea need to keep the ball and use it properly. Mata, Oscar and Hazard should take note.
Mata, Oscar and Hazard
It’s questionable whether all three will play against such pedigree oppositon. In some of the biggest games RDM has left either Oscar or Hazard out and gone with a little more caution in midfield. But they do have home advantage for this one and a win would give Chelsea a 7 point lead over Manchester United even before the winter sets in. These guys are the present and the future of Chelsea. Fantastic and gifted players all three. If they can click on Sunday United will find it difficult to cope.
A strong ref
It’s going to be heated at times but let’s hope that the ref let’s the game flourish and that we aren’t talking more about dodgy decisions than delightful dribbles come Sunday eve.
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dominic
Oct 24, 2012 at 2:28 pm
REFEREES ARE THE STEERING AND EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE KEEN ON SUCH BIG MATCHES IN ENGLAND THAT IS WHY NOWADAYS YOU SEE REFEREES FROM ENGLAND ARE GIVEN CHANCES OF REFEERING AT MATCHES THAT ARE NOT CALLED BIG MATCHES WHEN IT COMES TO WORLD CUP OR UEFA LIKE HOWARD WEB [MAN-U FAN]