manchester united vs chelsea: squad sheets
Written by Prince Swaggart on March 9, 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson has had his own traumas to deal with this week but one suspects he would relish the chance to add to Rafael Benítez’s problems at Chelsea. “I’m not going to kick anyone when they’re lying down,” Manchester United’s manager helpfully volunteered at Friday’s press conference. “It’s not my style.” Of course not. Wayne Rooney has also had a difficult week and will be keen to return to the starting lineup. As for Fernando Torres, the memories are fading of the days when Old Trafford feared him more than any other player. This would be a good time for he, and Benítez, to get off the floor. United, however, will want to get the Real Madrid defeat out of their system. Daniel Taylor
Venue Old Trafford, Sunday 4.30pm
Tickets £30-52 (0161 868 8000)
Previous meetings Man Utd 72 Chelsea 45 Draw 48
Referee Howard Webb
This season’s matches 23 Y84, R2, 3.74 cards per game
Odds Man Utd 4-5 Chelsea 16-5 Draw 11-4
Manchester United
Subs from Lindegaard, Johnstone, Buttner, Welbeck, Powell, Giggs, Anderson, Young, Smalling, Ferdinand, Hernández
Doubtful None Injured Jones (ankle, 22 Mar), Scholes (knee, 22 Mar), Fletcher (Aug, illness)
Suspended None
Form guide LWWWDW
Disciplinary record Y43 R0
Leading scorer Van Persie 23
Chelsea
Subs from Turnbull, Hilário, Azpilicueta, Ferreira, Terry, Ake, Bertrand, Lampard, Oscar, Benayoun, Torres, Marin
Doubtful None
Injured Romeu (knee, Aug)
Suspended None
Form guide WLWLDW
Disciplinary record Y40 R2
Leading scorer Mata 17
Match pointers
• This is the 11th FA Cup meeting between the sides, with United having won eight – Chelsea won the last encounter in the 2007 final
• Javier Hernández has scored in five of his past six games against Chelsea
• Juan Mata has scored five and assisted seven goals in 10 FA Cup appearances
• This is Manchester United’s 34th FA Cup quarter-final; only Arsenal have made this round more often, 36
• The last six meetings between these two in all competitions have featured 30 goals
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