Manchester United v Chelsea: match preview

Old TraffordKick-off: 19.45 BSTTV: SS2 Chelsea will take heart from the clubs’ last meeting at Old Trafford last April, when they won 2-1 to virtually seal the league title. United have not lost at home since, though, and they have never lost a European tie in which they won the first leg away from home. In fact, the feat has only been achieved twice in Champions League history.KEY CLASHES: Rafael v Florent Malouda Yuri Zhirkov was preferred to Malouda on the left flank in the first leg, but with Chelsea chasing the game, Carlo Ancelotti is likely to opt for Malouda’s greater pace and impetus. Malouda will be allowed to play further forward than Zhirkov was, posing Rafael (or John O’Shea if the Brazilian fails to overcome injury) a more imminent threat. Chelsea’s front line should benefit...

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PARK FOCUSED ON END PRODUCT

Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung insists possession counts for nothing in the modern game unless it can be converted into shots on goal.United secured a precious away win at Stamford Bridge last week in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Chelseadespite only having 46% of the ball.It follows a trend started by Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan last term, who were content to let Barcelona pass the ball around during their semi-final but denying them any space to exhibit their attacking skills.At Old Trafford, United would normally be expected to take the match to their visitors. But Park has warned Red Devils fans that...

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NO WORRIES OVER LEHMANN - WENGER

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has no doubt Jens Lehmann can handle the pressure of the title run-in after his last-minute call to the veteran on Sunday.Wenger was forced to throw the 41-year-old, only recently coaxed out of retirement to provide emergency cover, into a must-win Barclays Premier League encounter at Blackpoolafter first-choice Manuel Almunia was injured in the warm-up.The German, making his first Gunners appearance in three years, initially had little to do as his side established a 2-0 lead with a commanding first-half display at Bloomfield Road.He then survived a few nervy moments as the visitors went on to record a 3-1 win that...

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