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| Carrick Played A Critical Role At The Bridge |
The winner of this two-legged affair will meet either FC Schalke 04 or Inter Milan in the Semifinals of this competition. However, the Germans hold a massive advantage after winning 5-2 at the San Siro, which will be very tough for the reigning European champions to turn around in the second leg at the Veltins-Arena.
Before that lone goal win, United has not won in West London against Chelsea since the 2001/02, so the success will do wonders for the Reds confidence going into this all-English quarterfinal match.
Previously
The first leg was very evenly played, and with Chelsea dominating the possession it took a bit of class and perfection that gave United the advantage coming into this match.
Wayne Rooney, who is unfairly serving a two-match ban for swearing, scored the lone goal at Stamford Bridge, but he was just the beneficiary of applying the finishing touch to a wonderfully crafted move. Michael Carrick's long diagonal ball baffled Jose Bosingwa, and allowed Ryan Giggs to slip passed him and cut back the ball to Rooney, who placed the ball perfectly in off the far post.
There was definitely a few cagey moments, but the Reds showed stern resistance and determination to keep a clean sheet. Edwin van der Sar made a couple of fine saves and Patrice Evra, who could have very easily gifted the Blues a lifeline after making a clumsy challenge in stoppage time, made a crucial goal line clearance in the first half to preserve the rare win for the Reds.
Recent
The Reds and Blues have faced each other 31 times before this match in all five possible competitions. However, the Blues hold a slight upper hand in head-to-head matches over the last decade by winning 13, losing 10 and eight draws.
Amazingly, these prolific clubs have met in two cup finals - the 2007 FA Cup Final and the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final - a Carling Cup Semifinal and four FA Community Shields, and they have each won three.
In terms of Premier League titles though, United has won five trophies over the last 10 seasons compared to just three by Chelsea. However, the Reds will hopefully be adding to that impressive total by taking home another at the end of the 2010/11, which they were tipped for after this past weekend.
Both clubs secured home wins in the Premier League this past weekend, but each manager was afforded the chance, by choice or not, to rest some of their big name players. United coasted to a 2-0 win over Chelsea's west London rival, Fulham, at Old Trafford, and the Blues eked a 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at Stamford Bridge.
News
To his relief, there were no fresh injuries to report after the match with Fulham, which will please Sir Alex Ferguson to have a host of fit, fresh and eager players to choose from against Chelsea.
Ferguson's not-so secret weapon will be Rooney, because the emotional forward will be chomping at the bit like a rabid dog waiting to chase down an injured animal, which will hopefully be the Pensioners.
The tough decision that Sir Alex will face is which combination of wingers should he deploy against Chelsea from the start, because Nani turned in a Man of the Match performance after playing a reduced role in the first leg.
Manchester United's matches against Chelsea over the last 10 years have rarely disappointed or have had the added spice of controversy, and so the supporters should not expect anything less in this tightly-challenged UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal.
Treatment
Out: O. Hargreaves (shoulder), A. Lindegaard (knee); Questionable: Rafael (bruise)
Projected
E. van der Sar; Rafael, R. Ferdinand, N. Vidic, P. Evra; Nani, M. Carrick, R. Giggs, A. Valencia; J. Hernandez, W. Rooney
Prediction
Manchester United 2 Chelsea 1
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