FA Cup 2016/17: Chelsea vs Manchester United, 5 Key battles

Modified Mar 13, 2017 11:39 GMT

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho exchange words at the end of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — *Jose Mourinho (left) will be looking to avenge the 4-0 defeat earlier this season against Antonio Conte’s (right) side*

#4 Marouane Fellaini vs Chelsea’s shorter defence

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 23: N'Golo Kante of Chelsea passes the ball past Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 23, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) — *Marouane Fellaini‘s (left) height and physicality will be key for Manchester United*

Barring Nemanja Matic, Marcos Alonso, Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Diego Costa, the rest of the Chelsea team including right-sided centre-back Cesar Azpilicueta, right wing-back Victor Moses, right-sided attacker Pedro, N’Golo Kante and Hazard are all 5’10” and below.

Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini stands at 6’4” and their defenders along with Paul Pogba are of decent height as well, which could trouble Conte’s side from set-pieces as well.

Fellaini is the perfect player in such a scenario as his height, strength and the ability to make himself a nuisance against the shorter players in Chelsea defence can come in extremely handy in a match where the defending champions do not have any recognised striker to start with.

The Belgian can start in midfield and help Manchester United play directly to him with players such as Juan Mata, Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard getting into positions to receive the knockdowns.

The way in which Chelsea handle Fellaini will be another key battle in this tie.

Edited by Staff Editor