SIR Alex Ferguson ordered his Manchester United players some much-needed R&R after finding themselves on the wrong end of an "unfair" fixture schedule.
After gaining a creditable draw in the hard-fought Champions League semi-final with Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, United abandoned their usual strategy of immediately returning to the north-west in favour of staying overnight in Catalonia.
They then flew to London on Thursday night before undergoing a light training session in the capital this morning as final preparation for their title showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Log on tomorrow for line-ups, text commentary and stats on the game.
Twelve months ago, the Reds also followed up a European semi-final with a Saturday lunchtime league fixture which in that instance worked out well, as United bounced back from the crushing disappointment of defeat by AC Milan with victory over Manchester City. Combined with Chelsea failing to beat Arsenal the following day, that win proved enough to see them crowned champions.
A similar triumph over Avram Grant's men would, barring a mathematical miracle, secure back-to-back titles for United.
However, Ferguson has noted the fixture list is in Chelsea's favour given the Londoners gained an extra 24 hours' rest following their equally tense draw with Liverpool.
"The fixture is not fair in terms of the timing between the two games," said Ferguson.
"Chelsea had a Tuesday fixture followed by a Wednesday one, so they have four days to get themselves ready for both games. There is no question that is a big advantage because, unfortunately, all we have are 60 hours.
Relaxing
"It happened to us last year as well when we came back after the Milan game straight into a lunchtime match with Manchester City.
"It is not fair but once you shake hands with the devil there is nothing you can do about it.
"Really, all we have been able to do is rest the players. Being in the sun and having a day relaxing is probably the best thing we could have done."
Ferguson's complaints are likely to meet with some sympathy from Grant, who was even more irritated at the scheduling of Chelsea's recent matches.
What should have been a blank few days last week actually saw his team play twice, with the Stamford Bridge outfit drawing at home with Wigan before salvaging their title dream with a win at Everton three days later.
Ferguson is hopeful Nemanja Vidic will be fit for the game.
Only a mathematical improbability will prevent United securing the title should they beat Grant’s men and the return of Vidic will be a major boost.
The Serb was rushed to hospital with a stomach complaint on Tuesday and missed the Champions League semi-final with Barcelona but he trained this morning and should be ready, with Ferguson promising a ’couple of changes’, which could include the return of Ryan Giggs.
Chelsea boss Avram Grant will let grieving Frank Lampard decide whether he can play any part in the game following the death of the midfielder's mother on Thursday.
Michael Essien, suspended for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Liverpool, returns to the squad.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, Essien, Makelele, Mikel, Wright-Phillips, J Cole, Malouda, Shevchenko, Drogba, Kalou, Anelka, Sidwell, Pizarro, Lampard.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Brown, Neville, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Silvestre, Evra, O’Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Park, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez.
Last season: Chelsea 0 United 0
Key opponent: Michael Essien - Chelsea are a stronger team when the powerhouse midfielder plays
Prediction: Chelsea 1 United 1 - Fatigue could be a factor but United should pick up a point
Agree with the prediction? Have your say.
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Preview: Chelsea v United
April 25, 2008
Comments
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i can see a few changes as well. although i think a win v chelsea would spur us on for the barca match. vida should play if fit to get him sharp for the barca match as wel.
my line up vds, pe, nv, rf, gp, nani, anderson, oh, mc, cr, wr
i could see evra hargo and rooney not playing tho!
Hopefully our players will be allowed to play football, always a tough test but it'd be nice to break their hiome record. 442 anyone?
I would say it's advantage Chelsea as they are at home and have an incredible record there. I think the game calls for Carrick, Hargreaves and Anderson in the middle. Start Nani and Ronny wide and wayne up front. This one will not be without incidents.
Is Ballack injured or suspended? I cannot see him in Chelsea's squad!!
he does seem to be hinting at that - Fletchinho as had good games against the blues- if fit i wud of expected him to play.
Frank, 4-4-2? Let's not go back there. If everyone's fit for the two games, then we should play 4-3-3. I suspect though that a few won't be able to play two games in 4 days, so it may be a bit a mix and match.
Unlike the last two away matches where we were desperate for a win in each, in this one we can take a draw - so we'll probably win. Liverpool got a 0-0 at Chelsea, Arsenal should have held on for at least a point and even Villa have done well, so it is not the fortress many think.
Don't forget Chelsea have a big match next week too so both teams might contain a few surprises. The problem might be they always look a little fitter than our players but hopefully we will have enough.
Also with a few injuries and tiredness setting in - what a shame Saha isn't fit...although hardly surprising.
United 2 Chelsea 1
VIDIC PRESENCE IS ALSO A MAJOR BOOST WE ARE CAPABLE OF WINNIG THE GAME, ALTHOUGH LUCK HAVE AA PART TO PLAY. EVEN IF WE GET A DRWA, IT NOT A BAD RESULT. HOWEVER OUR MISSION CAANOT BE ACCOMPLISH IF WE DID NOT BREAK THEIR HOME RECORD AND GET THE MAXIMUM POINT AND HOPEFULLY SEAL THE TITLE.
CHEER MAN U FANS.
Don't play Giggs.
The good thing is that Chelsea pretty much have to win this one so we can afford to hit them on the break with one eye on OT Tuesday night. Fancy us to nick it by a goal, after all whenever teams go on good runs it's us that puts an end to it, isn't it Arsene?
Don't be suprised to see The likes of Fletcher & Giggs getting a game. He will probably also play Anderson if he is fit. I expect to see 4-5-1 with rooney up front on his own. I think Tevez is going to be rested after spending all Weds chasing shadows! Expect Rooney to get sent off (he's got a lot of pent up aggression, esp after seeing pics of Coleens hen night)
JOS will come off the bench for last 10 mins and score the equaliser - what price on that Fred?
This is Carrick's big day. Can't see OH playing 90, as he needs to be rested so we have someone who MAY actually have the bottle to try and man up at midfield vs Barca Tues. I for one would not be disappointed if we started out with the tactical approach at Barca, PROVIDED players are in their natural positions and Nani & Anderson start. Mr A must drive us forward as top sides have had little to fear from our central midfield driving on goal, so will once again be trying to double mark Ronaldo out of match. Scholes on when Anderson tires. 2-2: Rooney poaching a spilled blistering Ronnie free kick and Tevez dragging us across the line late.
brewdevil we would be out if it was a 2-2 draw
This is a hard one to call, but our tactics won't be.
It's obvious Chelsea have to attack from the off, so we'll sit back, absorb the pressure and hit them on the counter.
The only worry I have is how well we have recovered from Wednesday, when also taking into account we had a tough away game against Blackburn a few days prior aswell.
Don't be surprised to see a key player like Ronaldo or Rooney rested. If we do rest either, then I'd choose Rooney as I have a feeling this is a game where he'd blow a fuse and get sent off. Giggs will obviously come into the side, aswell as Nani and Anderson. Scholes will be rested, and I feel Giggs may play a central role in his place. I think Carrick could be rested aswell.
We might line up as follows:
_________________VDS
Brown_______Vidic____Ferd________Evra
______________Hargreaves
_______Anderson__________Giggs
Ronaldo________________________Nani
_______________Tevez
There is enough pace going forward there to bust them open on the counter.
As I already said, it's tough one to call, but we'll all be happy with a draw, which should be good enough to secure the title, as I can't see West Ham getting anything next week. Win that and the away game at Wigan won't matter.
This match will be a draw match.
With neither Grant nor Fergie having a tactical brain between them, it will be left upto the players to improvise. As I think Man U. have more bottle and imagination than Chelskie, I think we will just edge it. Remember both Villa and Spurs scored 4 at the bridge this season, so with our defence, especially if Vidic plays, I think we can win.
Krutt, I'd be hugely surprised to see Fletcher getting a game given that he's out for the season!!
Just one comment in one way pleased that Frank Lampard will miss the game but not the way it has happened.
My condolenses to Frank and all his family at their loss.
The "Law Of Averages" could come into play here, we haven't scored on our last four visits, they haven't lost at home for over 3 seasons and they have struggled in recent home fixtures. Also, apart from their "Golden Seasons" they usually bottle it at this stage. If Nani, Hargreaves and Anderson start, we stand a good chance of beating them although I would take a draw now.
t&c, wouldn't mix and match be dangerous route to follow?
My opinion is that Grant is a very lucky man to have got this far. This man took off Ballack and Joe Cole and still got a providential draw when the two above mentioned were playing well.
Yes Bringing on Anelka was a good move with Riise bullying all the smaller built players with cynical tackles.
Why cant we dominate them like Liverpool did? Sure we can no doubt about it. I hope he plays one particular defender(JT) who can't look after his part of turf leave alone trying to captain England and being Maclaren's echo.
Wes did a decent job at the Nou Camp, I hope SAF plays in the same position. Yup, his passing needs sharpening, that is if Vida is still unavailable.
What scared me silly was VDS's flaccid ball clearance which landed twice at Messi's feet. But for that his keeping kept us in with a shout.
It is irrelevant what team is put out against Chelsea, because unless there is a 100% improvement from the last 6 or 7 games then we will not come away with the result we need.
To win or at least draw vs Chelsea, SAF must put up his strongest 11 and that means no room for Giggs (sub maybe) who has been the least influential skipper I`ve ever known. Utd will win over more fans if they break the unbeaten home record of the Blues. Good luck lads.
Pok Spore
Don't play Giggs
carrick's big day indeed
largely anonymous and gave out a penalty