Match Preview: Manchester United Vs Chelsea

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WHEN: Monday, August 26, 2013. 20:00 UK time.

WHERE: Old Trafford, Manchester.

Chelsea's last win against Aston Villa may not have been convincing but their two wins out of two means a hundred percent record in the league. Pundits believe the Aston Villa match would have easily been a Chelsea loss some months ago. 

It will be Chelsea's and Mourinho's first match on the road this season and Manchester United's first home game at Old Trafford. The two teams have something to prove, Manchester United are defending champions and Chelsea are widely believed to be favorites this season.

A very competitive, combative and fascinating may be on the cards for either or both groups of supporters. 

TEAM NEWS

Tomas Kalas will surely miss out for Chelsea but there's doubt whether David Luiz will return. There's a possibility of Jose Mourinho handing the Brazilian a surprising start. 

Ashley Young, Luis Nani, Rafael da Silva, Darren Fletcher and Javier Hernandez are almost sure to be out for Manchester United as they are all injured.

David Moyes suggested that Chelsea's transfer target, Wayne Rooney will start against Chelsea. 

"Wayne has got a good chance of playing, he has got a good chance of starting too".

                                                                          David Moyes

TACTICAL VIEW

Manchester United are expected to play in a 4-4-2 formation. David Moyes could also opt for a 4-5-1 to boost their chance in the midfield.
                                 
                                           

Having Carrick and Cleverley in the midfield might look good enough on paper but if Chelsea play in the favored 4-2-3-1, there will be one extra midfielder to track back and help Chelsea gain control. David Moyes could then opt for one striker and allow Phil Jones sit behind Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick, I hope he doesn't. 

Chelsea have wealth of options in the attacking midfield but still struggled to break through the Aston Villa defence. There was lack of width and all Chelsea's threat was through the middle, Aston Villa smartly crowded the middle and made it difficult for the blue boys. 

In recent matches against Manchester United, Chelsea had the most ball possession but were vulnerable on the wings. Chelsea bossed the games but Manchester United were dangerous on the counter. It will be a smart move by Jose Mourinho to play his pure wingers and give Victor Moses a rare start.

                                

Many will believe Ryan Giggs will not be hard for Ivanovic to handle but when doubled up with Patrice Evra Ivanovic could be exposed. Playing Moses on the wing will not just help nullify the opposition's threat but give Chelsea another attacking dimension too. 

I think it's the perfect time to break the Lampard-Ramires pivot combo to ensure the midfield is owned by Chelsea. Pairing Michael Essien with Ramires will give the Brazilian the chance to join the attack when opportuned and both of them can still carry out the defensive duty together. Michael Essien is also a good passer from deep and can be the rock in the Chelsea midfield.

Fernando Torres was rested against Villa which means he could be handed a start by Jose Mourinho for this one. I still strongly believe that young Romelu Lukaku should lead Chelsea's attack. The Ferdinand-Vidic partnership is a strong one in the air and on the ground, Torres might not win a single aerial battle. Lukaku's hat-trick against United last season inconsequential, the Belgian is Chelsea's best bet to get the better of Manchester United's Centre back pairing.

KEY PLAYER: EDEN HAZARD


The Belgian wizard is set to be Chelsea's focal point of attack this season with Jose Mourinho giving him a big responsibility. Eden Hazard is a brilliant player with the ball and has the ability to unsettle the opposition defence. He scored two goals against Manchester United last season in five games. The eventual result could well depend on whether Eden Hazard gets it right on Monday night. 


Chelsea bench: Mark Schwarzer, Cesar Azpilicueta, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernando Torres. 

PREDICTION

Chelsea have only won two of their last five visits to Old Trafford, losing three and drawn none. Going by that, a loss seems unlikely.

Chelsea to edge the contest in reality despite domination but still win with a 3-1 scoreline. Look out for John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic.... But if Chelsea can "kill" Robin Van Persie as suggested by Marco van Ginkel, they might not be conceding any goals.

Reports: Wayne Rooney Says He Will Be Joining Chelsea

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According to ESPN, Manchester United want-away star striker Wayne Rooney has told his teammates at Old Trafford he will be making a move to Stamford Bridge.

Wayne Rooney has been a Chelsea target all summer and Manchester United already rejected two bids from the West London side for the striker insisting he's not for sale. 

Reports claimed that some of the senior players at Manchester United are unhappy with the player's stance, they believe he's putting himself ahead of the team as a whole. 

Another round of reports claimed that Rooney has been exiled from the first team squad so has been training with the reserves. Comments by David Moyes inferred that Wayne Rooney won't be a major part of his plans as Robin van Persie is regarded as the main man upfront. 

Rooney is likely to be fit enough to play for Manchester United against Championship side, Wigan athletic in the community shield but it's unlikely David Moyes will let him feature for them unless he pledges his allegiance to the club.



Jose Mourinho has vowed to continue to chase after the English international striker until this transfer window closes. We will all see what happens in the next weeks. 

   

Kagawa Eventually Beats Eden Hazard At Something

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Teasing headline really, trolling Manchester United fans. Manchester United midfielder, Shinji Kagawa has beaten Eden Hazard at something at last. 

The Japanese international arrived roughly at the same time with Eden Hazard in the English Premier League. Manchester United signed him for reported £16 million after missing out on Belgian play-maker, Eden Hazard.




Eden Hazard set the Premier League on fire on arrival and has been a handful for defenders, he was among the six players nominated for the PFA player of the year award. Shinji Kagawa who some believed and few still believe to be better than the Belgian is obviously a good player but was not among the better players in English football last season. Kagawa was injured for part of the time and when fit could not hold down a place in the starting eleven as opposed to Hazard who featured for Chelsea all the time.

   

Top 10 PL shirt name sales globally 2012-13: 1 RVP; 2 Rooney; 3 Kagawa; 4 Aguero; 5 Torres; 6 Hazard; 7 Suarez; 8 Wilshere; 9 Ox; 10 Cazorla
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 5, 2013

Fernando Torres is on the list too, Chelsea fans still support him despite all. 

Many will argue that shirt sales doesn't necessarily mean popularity. Shinji Kagawa for example is probably on the list because he's Asian, no disrespect. And you also see players on the list mainly because they are English.

Congratulations to every player on the list especially Chelsea players, Fernando Torres and Eden Hazard. Well done Shinji, you have at least beaten Eden Hazard here, keep this memory forever. 

Manchester United Confirm Another Rejected Rooney Bid

Manchester United have confirmed that Chelsea have submitted another bid for unsettled striker, Wayne Rooney, which they have rejected once again.

Reports suggest the bid is close to £30 million with add-ons . Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho already confessed that the club's only remaining target this summer is Wayne Rooney. Obviously, David Moyes and Manchester United are not interested in selling him.

Rooney is reportedly unhappy at the club, reports say he wants out and Chelsea is where he wants to be. An official transfer request may be on the cards if Rooney actually wants to force his way out.

Its a win win for Jose Mourinho and Chelsea, if United refuse to sell, they can keep their unhappy player and if they sell, everybody knows what Wayne Rooney can do.

David Luiz Is Furious!

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Yesterday, most sections of the media claimed that Chelsea placed a bid for Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney. The bid allegedly involved either of Juan Mata and David Luiz going the other way. The rumours left Chelsea fans everywhere fuming and confused.

Chelsea confirmed that they did make a bid for Wayne Rooney but denied that any of their players was involved in the bid.

According to The Sun, David Luiz is still annoyed at persistent rumours that he would be sold. The 26-year-old Brazilian international is scared and confused, he wants the club to clearly state that he's not for sale as he doesn't want to leave Stamford Bridge.

I think I agree with David, I don't know if you do. Do you want fans' favourite David Luiz to be sold? 

REPORT: Chelsea Have Contacted Wayne Rooney's Agent

CNN Italian sports correspondent, Tancredi Palmeri has been very reliable when it comes to transfer news. Most fans will be familiar with him by now.

Chelsea contacted Rooney's agent
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 13, 2013

Looks like the Rooney to Chelsea whispers are more than mere speculation especially with the quotes that have been coming from Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho. 

Palmeri also confessed he didn't believe the rumours. 

And the second, that personally before I didn't believe it happened for real, but I had evidence I was wrong
— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 13, 2013

Jose Mourinho has always been a big fan of the Manchester United striker. There's now a big possibility of Mourinho getting his wish. Chelsea fans can keep looking out for when SkyBet will suspend the Rooney to Chelsea betting.

Romelu Lukaku vows to be "The Deadly One" next season

Chelsea's 20-year old striker, Romelu Lukaku has sent a fire warning to rivals ahead of the start of a new season. 

Lukaku wrote on his Instagram: “I will train every single part of my body to be twice as good as last year.

“Stronger, faster, bring more quality into my game just to be as deadly as the great masters of the game.

“It will be hard but when you work hard you play hard. Season 13-14 is the season when I stop playing like a boy and will play as a MAN!! #ambition.”

Lukaku spent last season on loan at West Bromwich where he bagged an impressive 17 league goals for the baggies, an incredible number for his age. 

He put on several good performances even from the bench, the most memorable one was against Alex Ferguson's Manchester United, he came off the bench and scored an hat-trick to get a point for West Bromwich ensuring Sir Alex failed to win in his last match in charge at United, a feat only six players managed during the Fergie era according to daily mail. None of Chelsea's cult heroes,from Gianfranco Zola to Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba did or has done what he did. 

I think Chelsea fans can be happy Lukaku is still willing to improve. He thinks he scored three goals against United as a boy, he wants to be a man next season. Chelsea's Premier League rivals won't want to see that as Jose Mourinho is set to unleash a new beast at the bridge.