Man Utd v Chelsea

Manchester United have re-discovered that relentless winning mentality that has been the driving force behind Alex Ferguson’s success for more than two decades. Three factors have had the potential to unhinge their trophy pushes this season; the fitness of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the back and the form of Wayne Rooney up front. At Old Trafford tomorrow night it appears that none of these issues will be a problem.

The formidable centre back pairing of Vidic and Ferdinand kept a crucial clean sheet at Stamford Bridge a week ago. It was the England defender’s first game for nearly two months, and although Chelsea did cause some scares, the first choice partnership got the job done. United’s defensive record in Europe alone should be enough to discourage those tipping a famous comeback for the Londoners. They have conceded only two Champions League goals at Old Trafford all season and not lost a home tie in the elite competition for six years.

Chelsea have to score, indeed have to win, and yet they have a £50million striker who hasn’t found the net in 12 hours playing for his new club. Ancelotti has a real problem with Torres, especially given that the Spaniard has so far proved massively ineffective alongside Didier Drogba. Whatever players he picks, even a single goal at Old Trafford looks like it will be hard to come by.

Alex Ferguson has very much the opposite problem, ie no problem whatsoever. He is likely to leave the league’s top goalscorer on the bench again, even though Berbatov scored yet another one at the weekend. The manager is currently more than happy with the blossoming strike partnership of Rooney and Hernandez. The England striker has suddenly become the ‘go-to man’ again after a hat-trick against West Ham in the league was swiftly followed by the only goal in the first leg of this tie. He will even be fresh after his enforced rest at the weekend.

Rooney looks worth contemplation at 6/4 in the anytime goalscorer market or at 9/2 for first goalscorer. However, Chelsea will throw the kitchen sink at United tomorrow and it wouldn’t be a shock if they did find a goal from somewhere. Equally, I could see the home side holding firm and winning narrowly again on the night. I think most likely scores include 1-0 or 2-1 to the Red Devils so we’ll take bet365’s 11/4 on United winning by one goal on the night.