What: English Premier League
Who: Manchester United vs Chelsea
When: Sunday 5th May, 2013, at 16:00 UK Time
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
Manchester United Out To Avenge Cup Defeats
Few things seem to spur Manchester United more than the idea of ‘revenge’. It was that which helped to motivate them to their rampant Premier League title victory this season, secured with four matches to spare. The champions could be forgiven for dropping down a few gears, but they have unfinished business with Chelsea this season.
The Stamford Bridge outfit have accounted for two of the trophies Manchester United have missed out on this season – the League Cup and FA Cup, both of which were edged by the London side. Sir Alex Ferguson has a famously tense relationship with opposite number Rafael Benitez, and would surely love nothing better than to hurt the ex-Liverpool coach’s hopes of a top four finish.
That said there was clear evidence last week that Manchester United had taken their foot off the gas as they were overrun in the opening stages of their game at Arsenal. But they rallied well and came back into the match as the home team’s pace slowed. In the second half, a mature and intelligent defensive display kept the Gunners at bay and Manchester United could well have won it if their counter attacks were a shade more clinical. They certainly did not look like a team with their minds on the summer holidays.
Top Four Race Intensifies
The trio of London teams in the hunt for third and fourth place in the Premier League this season have now turned into the final straight and it is the Blues who have their noses out in front. However, they face the hardest run-in of the three, starting with this visit to Manchester United, followed by Tuesday’s huge game with Tottenham. A trip to relegation haunted yet revitalised Aston Villa and a home clash with a notoriously tough Everton side make for a run-in that will really test Chelsea’s nerve.
Benitez will need to break an unwanted trend if his side are to prevail at Old Trafford. Under his guidance they have lost a number of big games. Defeats to Southampton and Newcastle were bad enough, but the Blues have been beaten twice by Manchester City, lost to Corinthians in the Club World Cup final, to Swansea in the League Cup and a trip to Manchester United at the weekend will therefore cause familiar concern.
Chelsea must also find a way to play more cohesively and impose themselves on matches. They have tended to play best when their opposition are below par, rather than dictating play. Against Liverpool they were in control until Brendan Rodgers’ side changed things around. They would have lost the FA Cup tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford had the Red Devils’ legs not run out. And against Arsenal in the Premier League, that game was won before the Gunners showed up. That, more than anything, explains Chelsea’s struggles in the big games this season. With such a tough run-in, that must surely change if they are to prevail in the top four battle. There have been signs of improvement recently, with the team showing evidence that Benitez’s methods are starting to pay off. Will it be in time for a top four spot though?
Recent form
Manchester United:
West Ham 2-2 Manchester United (17/04; Premier League)
Manchester United 3-0 Aston Villa (22/04; Premier League)
Arsenal 1-1 Manchester United (28/04; Premier League)
Chelsea:
Basel 1-2 Chelsea (25/04; Europa League)
Chelsea 2-0 Swansea (28/04; Premier League)
Chelsea 3-1 Basel (02/05; Europa League)
Key absences
Manchester United: Nemanja Vidic (doubt); Danny Welbeck (doubt); Ashley Young
Chelsea: Oriol Romeu; Marko Marin
Players to watch
Manchester United – Nani: The Portuguese looks to be on his way out of Old Trafford and has rarely shone during a frustrating campaign for him personally. However, he may get another go here and could be key for Manchester United’s hopes. Wayne Rooney will play behind Robin van Persie, but Ramires’ energy should deprive him of the opportunity to influence proceedings. It may well be up to Nani, with Antonio Valencia out of form, to provide Manchester United’s main creative spark.
Chelsea – Juan Mata: Mata has set up more goals than anyone else in the Premier League this season and it is not hard to see why. The Spaniard’s touch and inch perfect passing prised open Manchester United in the FA Cup a few weeks ago as his ball over the top found Demba Ba. Against a team of Manchester United’s defensive strength it may just take a moment of brilliance from Mata if the visitors are to prevail.
Match Prediction
This game could come down to two men; Michael Carrick and Juan Mata. Arguably the Premier League’s best two forward passers of a ball, their importance will only be increased by the likelihood that Manchester United and Chelsea may cancel each other out as they did to some extent in their last meeting in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge in April.
Chelsea’s attacking midfield should ensure they see plenty of the ball, but Manchester United’s defensive organisation is usually superb. Chelsea’s problem may be that their best chance of scoring will be a quick counter attack, but in Ramires and John Obi Mikel their deepest midfielders lack technical quality and the passing range to set them off quickly. In Carrick, Manchester United have the league’s most important player on the counter attack and therefore they are probably the more likely side to find the net.
Manchester United will look to close down space between the lines, something Benitez is so keen on himself, and so this game could well become an intensely fought midfield tussle with no room for free flowing passing football. Expect therefore a real battle and a goalless draw. Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea.
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