Manchester United - Match Preview

[The Skipper 20,609]

Venue:

Chelsea face David Moyes' Manchester United on Sunday, January 19^th, 16:00, at Stamford Bridge.

The Match:

This game (round 22) comes at the ideal time for Chelsea. United come to The Bridge with 3 losses in their last 5 games, whilst Chelsea are looking to secure their 6th victory in a row. Chelsea are currently 3rd in the league, scoring 40 whilst conceding 19, which is joint lowest with Everton and Arsenal. Even though United have won only twice in their last 5 games, they have won 4 times in their last 5 PL games, succumbing 1-2 to Tottenham at Old Trafford, which puts them in the 7^th spot in the Premier League table. They are looking for their 6th win in 7 but Moyes has never won a head to head meeting with Mourinho. In the PL era, Chelsea have faced United a total number of 43 times, winning 14 times, drawing 16, and losing 13^[1]. Chelsea are the only team, in the Premier League era to have won more matches against United than they have lost. Both sides have scored 56 against each other in those 43 matches.

Opposition Analysis:

Reigning champions Manchester United have had a tough season so far under new manager David Moyes. Their problems this season have been well documented; they have been exposed as a very average team when their best players, Rooney and Van Persie, are not available. Coupled with the fact that key players like Vidic, Evra, Ferdinand and Carrick are now reaching the twilights of their careers, this may be the best time for anyone to play United. Their failings in the summer transfer window - with £28m sole signing Fellaini failing to bridge the gap in midfield - has led to many United fans agreeing that the team needs to be rebuilt from scratch - with their only positive light so far this season being the performances of 18 year old youngster Adnan Januzaj.

With United not being in top form at the moment and with key men Robin Van Persie & Wayne Rooney missing, an away trip to Stamford would be the least thing the Red Devils would be fancying - but one should never underestimate the reigning champions. As many people know - form goes out of the window in these sort of games. Chelsea still need to play well in order to win, as it is with any game.

Moyes' tactics:

Moyes usually sets up his United in a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 formation, which usually respectively changes between the defensive and offensive transitions of the team. Januzaj on the left usually has more freedom in attack, cutting in whilst Evra overlaps, which is compensated by Valencia's and Rafael's hard work on the right. United usually let Rooney and Januzaj have most of the ball in the final third with both organising their attacks - the fact that the former isn't playing will hurt United's movement in attack, but they do have a very capable replacement in Shinji Kagawa, who when on form, can be a devastating player. United have averaged 53% possession this season in the PL, but in their last match versus Swansea only managed to retain 39% possession which is the lowest ever recorded at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick is also another

A look at United's XI in their 2-0 win against Swansea should give us a good indication on the team that the might be starting against Chelsea:

De Gea

Rafael Smalling Vidic Evra

Fletcher Carrick

Valencia Kagawa Januzaj

Welbeck

Their average positions in the game^[2]:

The above graph reinforces that United's left side is their most offensive side - so Mourinho might expose that side by employing our most dangerous player in attack this year - Eden Hazard - on that side; which would allow Eden a lot more freedom and would also potentially force that side to be less adventurous and thus lessening United's overall offensive threat.

Players To Watch (United):

Adnan Januzaj:

The 18 year old has been a revelation in United's below average season so far - coming up with moments of inspiration; i.e. his two goals against Sunderland away earlier in the season spared United's blushes in a poor performance in general. Adnan has a lot of ability and must be well watched as United will be looking to orchestrate attacks in the final third through him quite a bit. Here are the two goals:

Spoiler

Shinji Kagawa:

The Japanese star, once heralded by United as a better signing than Eden Hazard, can be a threat when on form; which hasn't often been the case this season due to lack of playing time in his favoured position in general (due to Wayne Rooney's brilliance in that position). The former Dortmund man can still show moments of magic and should therefore be tightly watched.

Michael Carrick:

The link between defence and attack for United - Carrick is a vital cog in United's system. Carrick has to be maintained - shutting him down would make it difficult for United to retain possession. Having a hard-working attacking midfielder like Oscar could do wonders for CFC, but Michael still has to be watched as he has the vision to do this, which many Chelsea fans should remember:

Spoiler

Team News^[3]:

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard could return from a calf injury for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United. Right-back Branislav Ivanovic only returned to training on Friday following a knee problem and is unlikely to figure. New signing Nemanja Matic has been added to the squad but boss Jose Mourinho has said he will not start.

Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie will again be missing when Manchester United visit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Rooney (groin) has at least started running again, whilst Van Persie (thigh) should return to training on Monday after nearly six weeks on the sidelines.

Possible starting line ups:

Potential Chelsea XI:

Cech

Azpilicueta Cahill Terry Cole

Ramires Mikel

Willian Oscar Hazard

Torres

Potential United XI:

De Gea

Rafael Smalling Vidic Evra

Fletcher Carrick

Valencia Kagawa Januzaj

Welbeck

Match Facts^[4]:

• Manchester United have failed to score in their last three games against Chelsea in all competitions.
• Juan Mata has scored in each of his last three Premier League starts against Manchester United.
• Chelsea have scored exactly two goals in each of their last eight home games in the Barclays Premier League.
• Chelsea have had both teams scoring in their last five home matches against top-half teams.
• Robin van Persie has scored more goals at Stamford Bridge than any other visiting player in Barclays Premier League history (6).
• Javier Hernandez has scored in six of his last nine appearances in all competitions against Chelsea.
• Chelsea have had over 2.5 goals in their last five home matches against top-half teams.
• There have been five penalties awarded in the last four meetings between these two sides at Stamford Bridge.
• Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in his last four matches at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
• Danny Welbeck has scored six goals in his last six Premier League appearances.
• There have been 21 goals scored in the last four matches between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
• Chelsea have won their last four home matches against top-half teams.
• David Moyes has never won away from home to one of the Premier Leagues traditional big four Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal (P47 W0 D18 L29).
• Chelsea have won 16 and lost none of their last 19 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge (D3).
• Manchester United have won five and lost none of their last seven Premier League away games (D2).

Betting Odds:

Chelsea WIN 8/11

Draw: 13/5

United WIN 19/5

TV:

Depending on where you are from, you can watch the match in the following channels:

United Kingdom: Sky Sports 1 HD

United States: TalkSport Radio, Telemundo, NBC Sports Live Extra, NBCSN, SiriusXM FC

India: Star Sports 4 India, Star Sports HD 2 India

If your country is not listed above then you can check out the TV Schedule for the match here.

There should also be many match streams that can be found online if your local sports channels are not broadcasting the game or if you happen to be busy and cannot catch the game live, follow TalkChelsea on Twitter as it would provide live match commentary on the action.

[1] http://www.thechels....ited-2014-01-19

[2] http://www.whoscored...681/MatchReport

[3] http://www.dailymail...news-stats.html

[4] http://www.fourfourt...95112/pre-match

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[Jase 43,479]

*bump*

[Sidzeret 2,257]

bump

[Stingray 9,441]

Nice one Skip!

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Well, this just made me feel very bad about the previews that I usually write! Thanks a lot, Skip

Brilliant work, mate.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Show off

[Jase 43,479]

As I told The Skipper the other day, since he wrote this preview and if we don't win tonight, he will be banished from the forum. Everyone agree?

[The Skipper 20,609]

As I told The Skipper the other day, since he wrote this preview and if we don't win tonight, he will be banished from the forum. Everyone agree?

Didn't happen as usual.

Ban yourself mate