MANCHESTER UNITED-CHELSEA F.A CUP 6TH ROUND PREVIEW

Demons exorcism is what will firmly be on the minds of both teams as they square up at Old Trafford tonight for the right to join Manchester City, Wigan, Millwall or Blackburn in the semi-finals of the World's most famous domestic cup competition. Manchester United are still reeling from the painful and undeserving midweek Champions League quarter-final second leg loss to Real Madrid which ultimately brought their European campaign to a halt and diffused any treble dream they ever had. As it stands, Only Bayern Munich realistically, can win 3 major titles this season in all of Europe. Chelsea's Romanian sojourn ended in sadness too. Ros-Albastrii (the red and blues) were the victors at the Arena Nationala which gives the Blues of West London a mountain to climb when Steaua come visiting the Bridge in a few days.

Horrible decision (image via informationng.com)

Sir Alex Ferguson was enraged and disgusted at the turn of events five nights ago when Real Madrid emerged unlikely winners after 90 minutes of football which was emmeshed in controversy. The red devils had completely bossed proceedings until Turkish referee, Cuneyt Cakir decided to lend Los Blancos a helping hand. He did so by making one of the most appalling refereeing decisions of all time, sending off Nani for a challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa that even a yellow card would have been deemed as a little too harsh. The Turk sent off the Portuguese winger thirteen minutes into the 2nd half after he (Nani) had earlier created the goal that had out his team 1-0 up on the night and 2-1 on agg. The willy old Scot was left fuming from then on. His boys lost their shape and focus for the next 10-15 minutes and Mourinho in typical fashion pounced and two quick fire goals by substitute Luka Modric and old boy, Cristiano Ronaldo ensured that the night became a mare for the record English champions. Mou tried all he could to pacify the red army all to no avail. His post match comments, however soothing, did little to calm the fraying nerves all around the Theatre of Dreams. Mike Phelan did the post match presser in the absence of a 'DISTRAUGHT' Sir Alex. Something that rarely happened prior to that totally disastrous night all coupled with the fact that Wayne Rooney started the match from the bench, raising doubts about his long term commitments to the Old Trafford outfit.

Chelsea and Rafael Benitez have been at loggerheads since his infamous rant in the aftermath of the team's 5th round cup win at the Riverside a few weeks ago. Although the men at the top have come out to openly defend him to the surprise of many who expected the axe to be wielded in his direction. Despite the 1-0 win over West Brom, the former Valencia, Liverpool and Inter Milan manager in under immense pressure to deliver the goods. The task is made more difficult by majority of the Blues fans who want him ousted from the managerial hot seat at the Bridge which has proved too sweltering to handle for even former World Cup, Champions League winning and illustrious football managers. With the pensioners seemingly on the brink of Elimination from the Europa ;League in a tie that requires them to win outright at the Bridge, the F.A Cup presents the only chance of silverware this season. Rafa, more than anyone knows the consequence of failing to win a trophy even though he has repeatedly said that the TOP 4 is the primary aim this campaign. Chelsea's recent F.A Cup successes might galvanize them to go all out this evening at Old Trafford, but they face a wounded Manchester United side who also want to bury the demons that emerged from the crushing midweek European elimination. Fierce Battle on the horizon.

Probable Lineups-
Manchester United:--- DDG, Rafa, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Valencia, Young, Wazza, Chicha

Chelsea:----------- Cech, Azpi, Cahill, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Lamps, Oscar, Mata, Ba, Hazard

Sir Alex Ferguson will ring the changes this evening. The likes of Javier Hernandez (Chicha) who has a fantastic scoring record v Chelsea will be expected to feature from the start. Evans, Valencia and Ashley Young are also likely to be in the starting lineup. Of course, the Talismanic Rooney is certain to start. RvP is on a poor scoring run at the moment. The Dutchman has been flying all season, but has failed to find the back of the net since the Everton game. One goal since January 20 is a disappointing statistic for a man highly regarded as one of the most lethal marksmen in World football. This has seen Liverpool's Luis Suarez become the EPL's top scorer in his place. He can contribute from the bench if things get too tentative.

For Chelsea, Fernando Torres has found the net only once in his last 18 games and his 27 goals in 121 appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit is an absolute calamity. For a 50 million pound purchase and 08-09 bronze ball winner at the Ballon D'or awards, it is unbelievably incredulous. Demba Ba has come in and done relatively well. Meanwhile, old warhorse Lampard is just four more goals short of becoming CFC's all time top goal scorer. His 199 goal haul is second only to Bobby Tambling who is on 202. A goal today and the landmark 200 will be reached. A Legend he definitely is. A certain Spanish playmaker has been Chelsea's best player in the last 2 seasons or thereabout. The brilliant and sometimes unreal Juan Mata scores and assists when he wants and has been a vital ingredient in the Blues sometimes breathtaking displays this season. Without the former Valencia man, the West Londoners look as ordinary as Stoke (with all due respect to Tony Pulis and the great job he has done). If he finds his A-game today, it will be a torrid night for Manchester United. Both clubs are ready to turn the tide after the midweek mishap.

Ohireime P Eboreime
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