Manchester United vs Chelsea: Match preview

Rooney needs to keep his head clear

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED: DDG, Jones, Rio, Evans/Vidic, Evra, Anderson, Carrick, Rooney, Welbeck, RVP

Moyes will be hoping Wayne Rooney has a clear head for this very important encounter as it is the very same club that is willing to add him to its ranks. If events of last weekend are to go by, he deserves to make the starting eleven.

Rumours of him being unhappy because he refused to celebrate with his teammates when they scored are overstated and who cares if he doesn’t join in the celebrations? As long as he provides assists such as the one that led to Welbeck’s second and his all round play is deemed more than satisfactory, the rest becomes paper/media nonsense.

The gaffer needs to pile up the midfield because the West London visitors have arguably the best midfield in the League. The defence with the exclusion of Rafael, should be enough to keep the Chelsea frontline at bay.

CHELSEA: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Hazard, De Bruyne, Lukaku

Knowing Jose Mourinho, he most certainly won’t keep faith in Demba Ba despite his above average showing in midweek. It is goals that matter for a marksman and none of his have delivered so far.

He will probably give Romelu Lukaku the chance he deserves after such a fantastic season at the Hawthorns which culminated in a glorious hat-trick v Manchester United in what was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game as manager. Juan Mata might also make way for Kevin De Bruyne.

Otherwise, it is pretty much the same side that has lined up in the previous two games of the season. David Luiz is still injured, but has a chance of making the subs bench and will be fit for the Super Cup match in Prague next Friday.

Jose Mourinho doesn’t seem to like Mata a lot and this will bode well for opponents this season. the Spanish technician is miles better than many in his trade and has been Chelsea’s best player of the last two seasons. It is even touted in some quarters that he might be included in a deal that will bring Wayne Rooney to the Bridge. United will be mad not to accept such an irresistible offer.

Let’s hope to the game lives up to the billing. Touted as a potential title decider has added more spice to the eagerly anticipated match up.