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Chelsea travel to Old Trafford tonight looking to overturn the 1-0 defeat they suffered at Stamford Bridge last week in this fascinating Champions League quarter-final tie.
A Wayne Rooney goal was enough for Manchester Untied to win the first-leg, securing a valuable away goal along the way.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are now favourites to progress to the semi-final stage with Chelsea having to go to Manchester and win if they are to go through.
This is something they are more than capable of doing though. The Blues have gone to Old Trafford and won before, so they have to believe they can get the job done.
If they can open the scoring, it throws the game wide open. Not only would they have cancelled out Rooney’s away goal, but they would have the ascendency and momentum in the tie.
That’s what Carlo Ancelotti will be focused on – a good start. They have to put pressure on the home side early on and show everyone why it can be an advantage to play the second game of a two-leg tie away from home.
Make no mistake about it though, Ferguson would have drummed into his players that the hard work begins tonight for Manchester United. Yes, they are favourites, yes they are at home, but with this comes extra pressure.
The Manchester Untied boss has already said that his team will be going out to win the game and this should definitely be their approach. Look at the game as a one-off, almost forgetting the 1-0 advantage.
After all, if the Red Devils win the game on the night, they are through – that you can guarantee. Playing for a draw doesn’t suit them anyway, not with the attacking players they have.
So, you can make arguments for both teams coming out of this one on top and this is what makes it such a fascinating contest. Away goals have smaller significance between two Premier League clubs, so this one is in the balance.
Looking at the team news for this one, Brazilian right-back Rafael is the only doubt for Manchester United after picking up a knock at Stamford Bridge last week.
Chelsea are looking good on the injury front too, with Alex and Yossi Benayoun returning to provide Ancelotti with a fully fit squad for the first time this season.
This just adds to the sense of occasion and it really is a fascinating contest in store as two of English football’s top clubs battle it out for a place in the Champions League semi-final.
