FA Cup quarter-finals preview: Manchester United v Chelsea

After a controversial elimination from Champions League by Real Madrid on Tuesday, Manchester United will be hoping to bounce back in the FA Cup encounter against their rivals Chelsea.

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson was to such an extent distraught with a referee’s controversial decision to show Nani straight red card he has not appeared at the post-match conference. The Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir sent off Nani in the 57th minute of the game for supposedly deliberate high boot during the challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa. The incident has had a dramatic impact on the game, as Real scored two goals in the space of two minutes following Nani dismissal.

The Blues will be hoping to capitalize on the Red Devils’ disappointment with the latest result by beating them at Old Trafford. The much-needed victory could ease the pressure on interim Rafa Benitez following the miserable 1-0 defeat at the hands of Romanian side Steaua Bucharest.

The latest several games between the two sides saw the teams playing attacking and entertaining football and scoring numerous goals. And looking at the potential line-ups, it is likely both teams will try to outscore each other again.

Manchester United team news:

The Red Devils are hoping their Dutch hitman to be regaining his impressive goal-scoring form, and with the speculations about Rooney’s inevitable departure from the Old Trafford (fuelled by his omission from the starting line-up against Real Madrid) Van Persie’s clinical finishing ability is what United will heavily rely upon.

It is likely Sir Alex Ferguson will not risk unsettling Rooney further and hands him start for the game against Chelsea. Ryan Giggs set to be rested, with either Valencia or Young to be fulfilling his duties on a wing.

Paul Scholes (knee) and Phil Jones (ankle) will be definitely missing the game, due to serious injuries.

Chelsea team news:

Chelsea are currently lying in the fourth place, 19 points behind the leaders Manchester United, attempting to finish in the Champions’ League zone, despite the poor form.

Benitez does not consider John Terry as a first-team choice, following the recent bust-up at the training session. Although Benitez has decided to select Terry for Europa league game against Steaua Buacharest, he played him out of his preferred position on the left of the two centre-defenders.

Ba, Ramires, Cole, Mata, Moses and Azpilicueta, who have been rested or ineligible for the Europa League encounter, will be featuring in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford. Demba Ba is likely to start up-front after yet again miserable performance from Fernando Torres.