It’s FA Cup quarter final weekend, and as the dust settles over the agony and anger of what happened last Tuesday, Rafa Benitez brings his interim team to Old Trafford on Sunday, for the tie of the round.
It’ll be one of those games where United will be looking to react to going out of the Champions League, and with Chelsea’s chances of silverware slimmer than it has been for sometime, they’ll be wanting to progress to the semi’s from this one too.
Team news:
All eyes will be on whether or not Wayne Rooney starts on Sunday. With the reports of his omission from the starting line up against Madrid on Tuesday night leading to speculation he was on his way out of the club in the summer, expect the headline writers to be eagle-eyed on what happens with him.
With Javier Hernandez being pretty goal happy against Chelsea in the past, it could be a game where he starts for the reds. Phil Jones and Paul Scholes are still out.
Chelsea are likely to field a very healthy team. In what is their best chance of a trophy this season, they’ll look to begin strong and dominate the game. Torres and Ba are likely starters up top, and Luiz – who seems to have great games against the reds – could well be the key midfielder for the Londoners.
Fast Facts:
- Out of 11 FA Cup meetings between the sides, United having won eight of them
- Javier Hernández has scored in five of his last six games against Chelsea
- This is Manchester United’s 34th FA Cup quarter-final
- The last six meetings between these two in all competitions have featured 30 goals
Fancy a Flutter?
Here are a few odds on Sunday’s game – supplied by bet365.com:
- Draw at half-time, United to win: 7/2
- Chicharito to score first in a 3-1 win: 45/1
- 3-3 Draw: 40/1
- Shinji Kagawa to score a hatrick: 66/1
The game:
For many years before the Premier League was formed, the FA Cup was the only trophy we were able to, occasionally, get our hands on. This competition is important to us, and with it being nine years since we last lifted it, could 2013 be the year to break our duck?
Wherever you’re watching it, enjoy the game.
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