Premier League games do not get bigger than Manchester United vs Chelsea. Facing a Manchester United team without Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout is going to be a strange experience, but it also provides Chelsea with a great opportunity to start the season with three victories. The swashbuckling style promised by Mourinho is yet to materialise, as the blues have been far more pragmatic in the two victories so far.
“The history of Sir Alex is there forever. Is that a problem for David? I don’t think so because I don’t think David wants to be compared with Sir Alex.”– Mourinho.
It is highly unlikely to change against United especially since this is an away match. Even coming away with a point at Old Trafford is a good result. Mourinho adopted a cautious approach in order to prevent Aston Villa’s counter-attacks, and a similar strategy could be on the cards for the United match as well.
United may have a new manager in the form of Moyes, but they have changed little in terms of tactics from the Ferguson days.
“It’s obviously a very important match, and the first of two in succession with Manchester United and Bayern Munich, which are clearly big for us.” – Oscar.
United are likely to be fresh since this is their first match since the opening weekend’s encounter against Swansea. The two matches that Chelsea have played in the last week could force Mourinho into making a couple of changes. Frank Lampard especially could be rested, but probably not for a game of this magnitude.
United have the players comfortable in a number of formations. They are expected to start with a 4-2-3-1, but that could soon evolve into 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 depending upon the need.
Last season’s match recap:
Team news:
David Luiz still remains on the sidelines, but he is the only injury worry for Mourinho. Juan Mata just returned from injury and started against Aston Villa. However, it was not one of his best games for Chelsea, and he could be on the bench for this one. Torres was rested against Villa and he could be in line for a start. I would prefer to see Lukaku start, as he has been better than both Torres and Ba as a substitute.
For Moyes, Rafael Da Silva is back for selection after completing his suspension.
Moyes has said that Wayne Rooney could start the match despite Chelsea’s enormous interest in the striker. He played a huge role as a substitute in the opening match against Swansea, but he was least happy on the pitch. Will Moyes risk a player who wants to leave the club in such a big match?
Nani, Darren Fletcher, Ashley Young, and our nemesis Javier Hernandez are ruled out of this match.
Manchester United vs Chelsea possible formation:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick, Giggs; Valencia, Cleverley, Welbeck; Van Persie
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Lampard; Kevin De Bruyne, Oscar, Hazard; Torres
Kickoff:
Old Trafford, Manchester
26th Aug 2013
20:00 (London Time)
TV information:
United Kingdom: Sky Sports 1/HD, BBC One
United States: Fox Soccer Channel, DirecTV, SiriusXM FC, NBC Sports Network
India: Star Sports
Japan: J Sports 4
Up the Blues. KTBFFH.
Chelsea will win d match
Hahaha,z gana b a tough match bt victory remains our’s(blues)
The match is indeed a big match but i pray good luck fall on Chelsea side on monday
Am a die hard chelsea fan, we ll win the match, chelsea 4 LYF
J M shld use Lukaku to start
Morinho, please start mikel and mata in this game and keep lampard and kelvin in the bench if u really want to get a better result in this game .
To hell wit blues on Monday,up red devil’s fans
i wish our formation could be 442,it would have been torres an lukaku.despite that,pls start torres.up chelsea.
Chelsea will win
If morinho can start essien and lampard with ramires to hold midfield, i believe victory shall be ours (blue) up chelsea 4life.
Greatest man.united i belief jm wil com wit his best bt we shall com out more victorious,others r great bt man.u r d greatest.united we stand.
can it be posible for chelsea .blue we r wan
d sky is our limit.let d blue shine.lets make histry again. Chelsea will fuck all ya’ll RED DEVILS.
Wao I trust ma blues players, well I beliv witout sir Alex tinx will b defficult 4 united, nd wit de kind sturbone mind or de special one, I va strong hope of chelsea winning de game.
No shaking,we will beat man u hands down
It’s gonna be a tough encounter anyway….bt am optimistic d Blues will steal d show… Blues 4 life!
Last season wen we met man.u we won them 3 tyms and d manage 2 get 1 win and a draw wen d hav sir alex dis tym if i meet dem 10tyms i wil win dem 10tyms so my fellow bule u nid nt 2 worry at all cus victory is ours.up chelsea
Up blues no show down we go 4 results not mistakes.
Fuck Devil,fuck Man U
Looking @ d lineup u will knw d winner>cfc
Wit d lyks of oscar,hazard n DE BRUYNE,tores,lukaku is a substitute…victory is ours.i prefair essien 2 lapard
Up chelsea the formation is ok like dat let lukaku come in seco haif to see some mistake‘s from tores