A bit better from United now:
Welbeck has been
the most proactive Red so far, and with Cleverley drifting in off the
flank to link with him they are beginning to cause some problems.
You'd
think Chelsea *could* get some joy down the right though, with
Azpilicueta theoretically being afforded more space by Cleverley's
wanderings.
Not much evidence of that yet, mind
12:51
Cole OFF, Bertrand ON:
Yep, fairly inevitable that.
The
game is still rubbish, but Robin van Persie explained that it would be
just the other day because of the game's timing on a Monday - just two
days after both sides had played on a Saturday:
"It is not ideal.
Normally on the second day your muscles are quite bad, but now we have
to play at this certain time," van Persie said. "It is a shame but we
can't do anything about it because there are Champions League games in
midweek and Chelsea are still in the Europa League. We just have to deal
with it.
"People have to realise they can't expect a great game
of football because it is not possible. If it happens I am glad - but
don't expect it because these games are just too close to each other."
12:51
Oooh, ooh, oh no.
That's not nice.
Ashley
Cole is chasing Danny Welbeck and pulls up sharply. That, my friends,
is a hamstring injury and he will take no further part in this game - of
that, I have no doubt.
Bertrand would be the obvious introduction.
12:47
Good start from Jones, bad start from Nani.
Phil Jones has looked assured and solid so far in midfield, using the ball well.
Nani on the other hand is having an absolute shocker, and is struggling to even control the ball.
Nobody else has really done anything so far.
*yawns*
12:43
Boos problem
Rio Ferdinand has been getting dogs abuse from Chelsea fans so far.
Shall
we give the home fans the benefit of the doubt and suggest it is
because they're staunch patriots and are unhappy with his withdrawal
from the England squad?
Hmmm.
Well here he is at the handshakes looking particularly glum:
Paul Gilham
12:39
It's been a tentative start so far. Some really weird choices by
Ferguson today, and I've just noticed the latest one - Tom Cleverley
playing wide on the left.
Chelsea dominating possession for now, while United's best position came to nothing when Valencia overhit a first-time cross.
Still 0-0.
12:32
How they're lining up...
John Cross is one of our boys at the Bridge and this is how United have set themselves out: "Valencia at right back, Jones midfield. Interesting to see Valencia v Hazard with Cole on the overlap..."
It's
certainly a curious choice to chuck Jones in the middle and use
Valencia in a position where he's never looked overly comfortable.
12:30
CHELSEA HAVE GOT US UNDERWAY
12:29
HANDSHAKE NEWS:
The managers shook hands.
Phew!
#couldntcareless
12:26
The teams are in the tunnel:
Meanwhile, it sounds like things are getting feisty off the pitch:
12:20
Not long until kick-off:
But enough time for a quick read of
this
for United fans, and
this
for those of a Blue persuasion.
12:08
No Rooney in the squad for Manchester United:
That is a groin injury picked up on international duty according to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Robin van Persie is among those dropped to the bench, while Benitez has named John Terry and Frank Lampard as substitutes.
There's a place in the United squad for Marnick Vermilj (bless you).
12:05
No Way(ne)!
Dear god that was weak. Oh well.
Team news is in and there are some surprises: Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole, Ramires, Mikel,Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Ba Subs: Turnbull, Terry, Benayoun, Bertrand, Moses, Lampard, Torres. Man Utd: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani; Hernandez, Welbeck. Subs: Giggs, Lindegaard, Young, van Persie, Powell, Kagawa, Vermijl.
12:00
Happy Easter one and all!
Is that a thing?
Doesn't have the same ring as 'Merry Christmas' and when it's a
three-day festival it's kind of difficult to know when to say it - but I
digress.
It's a Monday, so what else would you expect but a
lunchtime kick-off to alleviate your lundi weariness and it's something
of a cracker.
Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge for this
FA Cup quarter-final replay with Rafa Benitez under even more pressure
after
a 2-1 loss to Southampton on Saturday. The first leg
saw an astonishing comeback when the Blues looked dead and buried, and
Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to accept such a sloppy repeat today.
So
what can we expect? Well, the teams will give us a better idea and
they'll be with us shortly, so until then, unwrap your half-demolished
chocolate oeuf and continue your guzzling.
We'll be right back.... -------- Mirror Football
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