Forget Haye v Valuev, this is the big one – Chelsea v Manchester United. This year’s favourites take on the Premier League champions. But while Chelsea – and Drogba – are in top form, United’s injury problems mount.
And it is Didier Drogba who pundits alike are talking about. He is in the best form of his life, and if there was a better time to face United for the Ivory Coast forward, it would have to be now as he will be up against a rather depleted looking back line.
Rio Ferdinand won’t play, and while people have been questioning his form concluding different reasons, it is obvious that his troublesome back is the reason for some bad performances of late. Sir Alex said on Friday that his injury showing no signs of improvement and surely that is a concern for all the United fans and indeed the fans who will be cheering England come the World Cup in the summer.
The doubtful Nemanja Vidic has also looked shaky, struggling against Fernando Torres a fortnight back, and Jonny Evans will face his toughest task yet of dealing with Drogba. The manner in which United conceded their three goals against CSKA Moscow in midweek was disappointing, but this match will be the ideal time and place to prove myself and others wrong. There is one fascinating stat to share with you – United are the only side not to concede from set-pieces this year. But this one isn’t too impressive; so far they have conceded 11 goals in 11 games and if you compare that to last season they only let in 20-odd.
Drogba will no doubt be the main threat. Not only is he scoring goals, but he is creating them too, and always finds himself in goalscoring positions. With Lampard and Anelka creating a three-man partnership, recently the Blues having been scoring for fun dispatching Bolton and Blackburn and while it is unlikely the score will be 4-0 or something like that, the red Devils will have to be wary of the problems that these players can cause, in particular Didier Drogba.
But, in the other end, there’s Wayne Rooney. The hot talking point in the past fortnight is who is better, Rooney, Torres or Drogba? You’d expect most readers to say Rooney, considering his ability, and the way he could change a game instantly, the 3-3 draw against CSKA is an example where from 3-1 down he inspired a Man Utd comeback, and with the arrival of new born son Kai, this could be the day when Rooney flourishes and will probably be doing the rocking baby celebration if he finds the target.
This match won’t be billed ‘David and Goliath‘ like the eagerly awaited boxing match today, why would it be when the contrast in quality is minimal with these two. But the fight between these two teams to reach the top of the table come May will be tense. Who will provide the knockout blow in the ring on Sunday? Chelsea from the blue corner, or Manchester United from the red corner?
