Manchester United v. Chelsea - Match Preview

Manchester United will use a sell-out Old Trafford crowd to their advantage tomorrow as they entertain Chelsea in the Carling Cup Semi Final's 2nd leg, following a goalless encounter at Stamford Bridge.

The clash in London left a bitter taste in the mouths of both managers, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, after exchanging a nasty war-of-words.

Blues boss Mourinho claimed Sir Alex Ferguson's reputation and magnitude was used to persuade referee Neale Barry's decisions in the second period after an alleged discussion between Ferguson and Barry at half-time. "Maybe when I turn 60 and have been managing in the same league for 20 years and have the respect of everybody I will have the power to speak to people and make them tremble a little bit." he said.

Wednesday's Carling Cup fixture is set to have a major psychological effect on the rest of the Premiership season with Chelsea being 11 points ahead of the Red Devils.

Despite a harsh exchange of words between Ferguson and Mourinho, the Red Devils boss claims the Old Trafford tie has nothing to do with their personal rivalry, but between the players'. "This game is not about Mourinho or Ferguson. It is about 22 great players." stated the Scotsman.

"We both have match-winners and working out which player will win it is more interesting than talk about managers."

"It's the best two sides in the country; it's sudden death." he added.

"The atmosphere should be wonderful, and it should be a fantastic game. Our record in semi-finals is terrific, and I hope we can maintain that."  

Alan Smith seems to have shaken off an ankle injury that has kept the forward out of action for a couple of games and could make a starting-return tomorrow.

However, Darren Fletcher is definitely ruled out whilst skipper Roy Keane could play in his first Carling Cup game of the season.

Chelsea are set to field a strong side but are likely to give goalkeeper Pert Cech a rest as Carlo Cudicini will step in-between the sticks.

On the injury front Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed: "Having Louis Saha, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Quinton Fortune and Alan Smith back gives me great options."

"Darren Fletcher misses the game because he got an ankle injury on Saturday. I'll be assessing the situation after training on Tuesday."

"Alan Smith trained today and if he comes through OK then he is certainly a consideration," 

ManUtdWeb Prediction: Manchester United 0 - 1 Chelsea: I'm going to be pessimistic so when we do actually beat them I'll have something to smile about! I hope we do win for psychological reasons though.