FA Cup: Manchester United - Chelsea

Since this is their first duel of the season at Old Trafford, it will be very interesting to see how it will all look especially after both teams embarrassingly lost in the last week in the European competition. Of course, it was much worse for Manchester United, which was in the second round of the Champions League eliminated by Real Madrid after home defeat 2-1. In their camp they still haven’t reconciled the fact that Nani received a direct red card in the middle of the second half, which at the end has a decisive influence on the final outcome. But what’s done is done, and the painful defeat should be forgotten as soon as possible in order to fully dedicate themselves to domestic competitions where have a chance to win a double crown. In the Premiership they have almost secured the title having in mind that Manchester City lags 12 points behind them. Now they need to confirm the placement in the semi-finals with the victory against Chelsea in the FA Cup. Only two players are not ready for this match, injured midfielder Fletcher and defender Jones.

Probable lineups Manchester United: de Gea – Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra –Cleverley, Anderson – Valencia, Rooney, Kagawa – van Persie

Chelsea

Just as their next opponents and Chelsea was last week defeated in the second round of the Europa League with 1-0 in an away game against Romanian Steaua, but as rematch is scheduled for the next Thursday at home it is quite clear that ever option is still on the table regarding the qualification for the next round. On the other hand, the coach Benitez has managed in this match to rest some of his first team players who bore the brunt of playing in the championship and the FA Cup, where in 10 days have recorded two wins and one defeat. In the championship they were defeated in an away game against second-placed Manchester City and won at home against West Bromwich, while in the FA Cup have qualified for the quarter-finals with an away win over Championship league Middlesbrough. Here we must say that in the meantime the situation has considerably improved with available players, so for the duel at Old Trafford they cannot count on just from before injured midfielder Romeo.

Probable lineups Chelsea: Cech – Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Cole – Mikel, Lampard – Oscar, Mata, Hazard – Demba Ba

No matter that the Red Devils will be a bit tired and disappointed after the elimination from the Champions League they in this season just give their best in every game, and definitely want go all the way to the end in the FA Cup too.