Manchester United and Chelsea both upbeat as EPL enters crucial phase
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes that his team will perform well in the upcoming key fixtures and enable the Old Trafford outfit to consolidate its position in the English Premier League.
He also accepted that a six-day period later this month will be vital for his team’s chances of winning the title this year. Arsenal will visit Old Trafford on December 13, which will be followed by United’s trip to Stamford Bridge
to face defending champions Chelsea. According to Ferguson, these two matches will be immensely important for the Red Devils.
“You always want to win those games because they are really significant,” he said. “We have managed to claw ourselves into a position where we are two points ahead of Chelsea, so the game at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal's trip to
Manchester will certainly be very important, there's no doubt about that.”
Manchester United’s last trip to Stamford Bridge in the previous season was a bitter experience as Carlo Ancelotti’s side inflicted defeat on Ferguson’s men amidst controversy. That match had ended bitterly as Didier Drogba’s foul
against Wes Brown in the build-up of the decisive goal was missed by the referee. The error proved costly for United as it not only lost the match but also the title.
Despite getting hammered 4-0 by West Ham last Wednesday, Manchester United is still leading the Premiership table. In upcoming games, Ferguson is expected to include heavyweights Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Dimitar
Berbatov, all of whom were rested during the game against West Ham.
“You are aware that you have to use your squad well because there are so many games, particularly during that week between Christmas and New Year,” said Ferguson. “Three matches in six days is a lot. It is a hectic period but we
have the players to cope. Hopefully we're in the right position come the start of January.”
Chelsea, meanwhile, have lost their initial momentum in the Premiership, as they now trail behind Manchester United by two points. The team’s defence has been a problem area for Ancelotti; Chelsea continue to fail to hold on to
a clean sheet.
The team will receive a much-needed boost with the return of John Terry, who was out of action for the past few weeks due to a sciatic nerve problem in his right leg. The Chelsea captain will be back on the field for the Blues’
match against Everton on Saturday at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will also be back in action, having completed his suspension. There are some question marks, however, regarding Frank Lampard’s fitness.
“By the looks of things we are getting two or three players back,” said Terry. “Hopefully Michael will return at the weekend as will I. I have trained the last couple of days and Frank is not too far away. We have dropped too many
points recently. Looking back only two or three weeks ago we were so many points clear and in the goal difference as well.”
Terry is hopeful that with the return of senior players, the Chelsea side will get the fortification it requires. “We need to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later,” he said. “I think we have played well the last couple
of games and on another day three or four may have gone in. We have been a bit unfortunate with a couple of goals we have let in as well. I think overall defensively, midfield and attack; we've not been as good.”
Terry’s return is all the more timely as Chelsea defender Alex is reported to be out after undergoing knee surgery.
Tags: