18 Yard Box has a look at the match up between the Manchester side and the side they host from London.
The rivalry between these two sides dates back to the Mourinho days. Always outspoken, the former Chelsea manager used to take no second invitation to have a dig at United's gaffer. With the 'Special One' touted to return, Chelsea would do well to win this and give him the much needed Champions League spot. On the flip side, United, having buried the title in their own graveyard, have nothing but pride to play for in this clash.
18 Yard Box's Rishabh Ghai has a look at the tie and predicts the eventual winners.
On the Injury front
United face hoards of injury problems with Danny Welbeck, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic all on the treatment table. Ashley Young and Fletcher are set to miss the remaining games with long term injuries. The good news is that amongst the men injured, Scholes, Vidic and Smalling could make it to the game.
Chelsea have their own reasons for concern. Eden Hazard has bee sidelined with a knock and faces a late fitness test. However, Benitez could risk him in the hunt for the top 4. Chelsea's middle man, Jon Obi Mikel also faces a similar test from the thigh strain injury he carries.
SWOT analysis
Manchester United
The Red Devils are in a red hot form and would look to avenge their FA Cup quarter final loss against Chelsea. With nothing to play for, United will be free to field an inexperienced side and give their fringe players a run. With Javier Hernandez' goal scoring record against Chelsea, he should get the nod to lead the United attack alongwith the Kagawa to aide him. Nani and Valencia should retain their places from the draw against the Gunners and Scholes could get his start alongside Michael Carrick.
United have been brilliant in all three department in the previous few and the sultry form of Robin Van Persie has helped them bag the 20th title. The striker's contribution is huge as the former Gunner man will be edging to add to his tally of 25 goals. At the back, United have done well after a stuttering start and much credit needs to be given to Rio Ferdinand. Initially accused over getting past his prime, the English centre back has shown that he still possesses the pedigree to play at the top level. Another player who has grasped his chance is Rafael de Silva. The young right back has been top class going into this season and has been better on the attacking front rather on the defensive. Overall he has had an excellent season.
In the centre, United have their unsung hero Michael Carrick to thank for. At an age of 31, the English midfielder has been United's lynchpin and their answer to the holding midfielder they so dearly needed. He alongside Rooney or Kagawa has forged a strong partnership with the two men.
Despite of all this, United's weakness lies in their flanks. All the three wingmen have not performed well, leaving the job for Ryan Giggs to finish. Their have been occasional flashes of brilliance by them but on the consistency front, they are suffering. Valencia has had a below average season and Nani looks sure to head out. Ashley Young has done little to impress and has left United in a spot of bother.
Chelsea
With speculations rife that Jose Mourinho is on his way back to London, Rafa Benitez needs to add as many wins as possible to his resume as he will be looking for a new club next season. The club's interim manager has done a great job by getting Chelsea to the Europa League finals and would do better if he finishes in the top 4 this season. A must win game for Chelsea sees them with a mountain to climb against the formidable United side. Having done this before in the FA Cup quarter finals, Chelsea's confidence should be on the high as they approach this game.
Facing a Benfica side in the finals of the Europa League, Chelsea's revelation this season has been the emergence of David Luiz in the midfield role. The Brazilian international, although a defender by nature, has been instilled in the central role by Benitez this season on quite an occasion. His eye for goals coupled with his tackling abilities has seen him fathom in the box to box role in the absence of Mikel.
Chelsea's midfield is no short of creativity as their holy trinity of Oscar, Hazard and Mata have done really well this season. With Mikel back and Lampard hungry for his record strike, Chelsea will have a hungry side going out against United. Lampard might start beside either Ramires or Mikel with Oscar patrolling the right flank. On the left, it could be Hazard (if fit) or Mata. Ba would be given the nod to lead the line.
Chelsea' defence has been pretty much stable under the watchful eye of Ivanovic and Cahill. Azpilicueta at the right back looks decent with experienced Ashley Cole on the left.
Torres has struck form for the Blues just at the right time. With Chelsea having to dig deep into their reserves due to a cramped schedule, the Spaniard has found his hunger back. Although still not magical, Fernando Torres has been linking up pretty well with the Chelsea midfield. However, Demba Ba might be given the chance to start this one as his physical presence might give Rio and co a stern test. Ba's finishing abilities coupled with his physical game reminds one of Didier Drogba as the Senegalese international has big boots to fill.
Chelsea's weakness has been their striking department. The strikers havent performed well for them this season with the bulk of their goals coming from the midfield region. Ba has not been given enough opportunities to live up to his glorious reputation and Torres has been woeful until now.
What to play for?
Going into this game, on paper, Chelsea are the only team who have everything to play for. With important games against Tottenham and Everton coming up, a win would do wonders to the Blue's confidence and would give them the much needed impetus to clinch a top 3 birth. A draw however, will still keep their Champions League hopes alive but a loss could be fatal.
As for United it is nothing but pride to play for. During his 26 year old reign at Old Trafford, Sir Alex has not taken a single game lightly and we can be assured that United will be up for a fight. A win would give them pride of wounding their rivals as they will hamper their progress to the Europe's elite competition. We can be assured that United will fight tooth and nail to win the tie.
The Final Verdict
With everything to play for, Chelsea would be nervous at the start. A deafening Old Trafford crowd could distract their start and United could capitalise the opening stages. However, as the game goes on Chelsea might settle down and start to trouble United. However, home advantage lies at the hands of United and they might do well to earn a draw if not win. The Old Trafford scoreboard could read 2-1 at the end of the game.
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International, contributor for AIS and a writer and editor for 18 Yard Box.
The rivalry between these two sides dates back to the Mourinho days. Always outspoken, the former Chelsea manager used to take no second invitation to have a dig at United's gaffer. With the 'Special One' touted to return, Chelsea would do well to win this and give him the much needed Champions League spot. On the flip side, United, having buried the title in their own graveyard, have nothing but pride to play for in this clash.
18 Yard Box's Rishabh Ghai has a look at the tie and predicts the eventual winners.
On the Injury front
United face hoards of injury problems with Danny Welbeck, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic all on the treatment table. Ashley Young and Fletcher are set to miss the remaining games with long term injuries. The good news is that amongst the men injured, Scholes, Vidic and Smalling could make it to the game.
 |
| Hazard could be a big miss if he fails the test |
SWOT analysis
Manchester United
The Red Devils are in a red hot form and would look to avenge their FA Cup quarter final loss against Chelsea. With nothing to play for, United will be free to field an inexperienced side and give their fringe players a run. With Javier Hernandez' goal scoring record against Chelsea, he should get the nod to lead the United attack alongwith the Kagawa to aide him. Nani and Valencia should retain their places from the draw against the Gunners and Scholes could get his start alongside Michael Carrick.
 |
| Van Persie is in the form of his life |
United have been brilliant in all three department in the previous few and the sultry form of Robin Van Persie has helped them bag the 20th title. The striker's contribution is huge as the former Gunner man will be edging to add to his tally of 25 goals. At the back, United have done well after a stuttering start and much credit needs to be given to Rio Ferdinand. Initially accused over getting past his prime, the English centre back has shown that he still possesses the pedigree to play at the top level. Another player who has grasped his chance is Rafael de Silva. The young right back has been top class going into this season and has been better on the attacking front rather on the defensive. Overall he has had an excellent season.
 |
| Carrick: United's unsung hero |
In the centre, United have their unsung hero Michael Carrick to thank for. At an age of 31, the English midfielder has been United's lynchpin and their answer to the holding midfielder they so dearly needed. He alongside Rooney or Kagawa has forged a strong partnership with the two men.
Despite of all this, United's weakness lies in their flanks. All the three wingmen have not performed well, leaving the job for Ryan Giggs to finish. Their have been occasional flashes of brilliance by them but on the consistency front, they are suffering. Valencia has had a below average season and Nani looks sure to head out. Ashley Young has done little to impress and has left United in a spot of bother.
Chelsea
With speculations rife that Jose Mourinho is on his way back to London, Rafa Benitez needs to add as many wins as possible to his resume as he will be looking for a new club next season. The club's interim manager has done a great job by getting Chelsea to the Europa League finals and would do better if he finishes in the top 4 this season. A must win game for Chelsea sees them with a mountain to climb against the formidable United side. Having done this before in the FA Cup quarter finals, Chelsea's confidence should be on the high as they approach this game.
 |
| The Brazilian is relishing his new role |
Facing a Benfica side in the finals of the Europa League, Chelsea's revelation this season has been the emergence of David Luiz in the midfield role. The Brazilian international, although a defender by nature, has been instilled in the central role by Benitez this season on quite an occasion. His eye for goals coupled with his tackling abilities has seen him fathom in the box to box role in the absence of Mikel.
Chelsea's midfield is no short of creativity as their holy trinity of Oscar, Hazard and Mata have done really well this season. With Mikel back and Lampard hungry for his record strike, Chelsea will have a hungry side going out against United. Lampard might start beside either Ramires or Mikel with Oscar patrolling the right flank. On the left, it could be Hazard (if fit) or Mata. Ba would be given the nod to lead the line.
Chelsea' defence has been pretty much stable under the watchful eye of Ivanovic and Cahill. Azpilicueta at the right back looks decent with experienced Ashley Cole on the left.
Torres has struck form for the Blues just at the right time. With Chelsea having to dig deep into their reserves due to a cramped schedule, the Spaniard has found his hunger back. Although still not magical, Fernando Torres has been linking up pretty well with the Chelsea midfield. However, Demba Ba might be given the chance to start this one as his physical presence might give Rio and co a stern test. Ba's finishing abilities coupled with his physical game reminds one of Didier Drogba as the Senegalese international has big boots to fill.
 |
| Ba has big boots to fill |
Chelsea's weakness has been their striking department. The strikers havent performed well for them this season with the bulk of their goals coming from the midfield region. Ba has not been given enough opportunities to live up to his glorious reputation and Torres has been woeful until now.
What to play for?
Going into this game, on paper, Chelsea are the only team who have everything to play for. With important games against Tottenham and Everton coming up, a win would do wonders to the Blue's confidence and would give them the much needed impetus to clinch a top 3 birth. A draw however, will still keep their Champions League hopes alive but a loss could be fatal.
 |
| Old rivalries will be re-ignited |
As for United it is nothing but pride to play for. During his 26 year old reign at Old Trafford, Sir Alex has not taken a single game lightly and we can be assured that United will be up for a fight. A win would give them pride of wounding their rivals as they will hamper their progress to the Europe's elite competition. We can be assured that United will fight tooth and nail to win the tie.
The Final Verdict
With everything to play for, Chelsea would be nervous at the start. A deafening Old Trafford crowd could distract their start and United could capitalise the opening stages. However, as the game goes on Chelsea might settle down and start to trouble United. However, home advantage lies at the hands of United and they might do well to earn a draw if not win. The Old Trafford scoreboard could read 2-1 at the end of the game.
Written By,
Rishabh Ghai
Rishabh is a writer for Goal.com India, International, contributor for AIS and a writer and editor for 18 Yard Box.
Follow Rishabh Ghai on Twitter
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