Chealsea vs Manchaster United

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA Cech Bosingwa, Luiz, Ivanovic, Bertrand Meireles, Romeu, Malouda Sturridge, Torres, Mata

MANCHESTER UNITED   De Gea Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra Valencia, Giggs, Carrick, Park Hernandez, Rooney

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will not be able to call upon full back Ashley Cole in the crunch clash against Manchester United, since the England international picked up two yellows against Swansea City and is now suspended for this fixture.

John Terry has been ruled out with a knee injury, which should see the back line being changed a little. One possible solution could be for Branislav Ivanovic to play at right back with Gary Cahill making his debut, while Jose Bosingwa would move to left back. But given the magnitude of the game and the amount of pressure and expectation that would be placed on Cahill considering that it would be his debut, Ryan Bertrand should be the one to slot in in place of the suspended Cole.

Meanwhile, Bosingwa would man the right back position with David Luiz and Ivanovic in the heart of the Blues' defense.

Frank Lampard (calf) is a doubt for this fixture, but could feature if he returns to fitness in time. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are unavailable due to being on international duty at the African Cup of Nations, while John Obi Mikel (hamstring) and Ramires (knee) join Terry in the treatment room.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has Wayne Rooney and Nani pushing to be fit in time for the stratospheric encounter at Stamford Bridge. If fit, the striker should take the place of Dimitar Berbatov and play alongside Javier Hernandez, with Danny Welbeck on the bench. Nani would come in place of Park Ji-Sung if he returns to fitness in time.

The Scot recently said that Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young could make a return against Chelsea. But even if the duo are ruled fit, it will likely be a place on the bench given the amount time they have spent on the sidelines.

Anders Lindegaard (ankle) is out of action for at least a month, and David de Gea should earn a start despite Ben Amos having kept a clean sheet against Stoke City.

Anderson remains sidelined due to a knock he took in training last month, while Phil Jones (ankle) is out as well. Darren Fletcher (illness) and Nemanja Vidic (knee) have already been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

• Chelsea is undefeated in its last nine Premier League clashes against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

• But the Red Devils have the historical advantage, since they have beaten the Blues in their backyard on 29 occasions, losing 22 times in the process. A further 18 matches ended with points being shared.

• Andre Villas-Boas' men are at rock bottom in the Fair Play table, having seen more cards than any other team in the top-flight. This amounts to 50 yellows and four reds.

• Fernando Torres (pictured right) has gone 12 matches in the league without scoring a goal, which makes it his worst goal drought since his switch to the Premier League.

• Manchester United has been the most miserly team in defense on its travels, having conceded only seven times away from home this season.

• United is also the most successful side on the road this season, having accumulated 26 points in 11 away games. Interestingly, the Blues' home record does not measure up to United's exploits on its travels, since Villas-Boas' men have managed 22 points in their 11 matches at Stamford Bridge.

• In total, the Red Devils have scored 263 goals against Chelsea in all competitions, conceding 191 in the process.

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admits Owen Hargreaves 'gamble' hasn't paid off

 

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that the gamble signing of Owen Hargreaves has not paid off as he has again endured an injury hit campaign.

Mancini signed the former Manchester United man to bring cover to his midfield, especially to cover Yaya Toure while he was away on African Cup of Nations duty, but Hargreaves has gone on to make just four appearances this season.

It was a shock when the 31-year-old signed a one year contract in the summer, but, since the January loan acquisition of David Pizarro from Roma, he has admitted that the transfer hasn’t quite worked out as he had hoped.

"We took a gamble on Owen because he was such a fantastic player," Mancini told Sky Sports.

"We thought we could try to get him fit in two or three months and then he would be able to play. But it hasn't worked out quite like that.

"When you have a player who hasn't played for two years and he starts to train every day there are small problems all the time. Problems in the knees or the hamstrings. So Owen hasn't been able to play when we have needed him.

"He may play again this season but he is not ready now. I hope eventually he will be able to play all the time. He deserves to, because he is a really nice guy."

Mancini also moved swiftly to dismiss any similarities between David Pizarro and Hargreaves.

"David is not a gamble, he's a top player,"

"He can play as defensive midfielder or he can play in the Yaya Toure position. We need cover at the moment because we have players away in Africa, and also because when the Europa League starts we will be back to playing every three days.

Merseyside Police bail man accused of making racist gesture during Liverpool’s FA Cup win over Manchester United

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Merseyside Police have bailed a man arrested over allegedly making a racist gesture during Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth-round victory over Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.
The 58-year-old was apprehended by the authorities after a still from the TV footage of the game was circulated on Twitter, appearing to show him making a racist gesture in the stands.

A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said: "A 58-year-old man from North Wales who was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense yesterday following the Liverpool and Manchester United match has been released on police bail pending further inquiries."

Saturday’s match was the first meeting between the bitter rivals since Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was handed an eight-match ban for racially abusing United defender Patrice Evra, and the Frenchman was subjected to booing from the Anfield crowd throughout.

Before the clash, the stadium announcer warned supporters that racist or homophobic behaviour would not be tolerated, and it is believed any individual found guilty of such offenses would face a lifetime ban from the club.

Manchester City's Micah Richards hails the return of Vincent Kompany

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Manchester City defender Micah Richards welcomed the return of captain Vincent Kompany ahead of its match away to Everton on Tuesday.

The center back has now served a four match suspension following his controversial sending off in City’s FA Cup third round loss to Manchester United.

In his absence, City was defeated by Liverpool over two legs in their League Cup semifinal, and claimed narrow victories over Wigan and Tottenham in the league.

Speaking to The Evening Standard, Richards said, "He [Kompany] has been an unbelievable miss. He is our captain and he and Joleon [Lescott] have been our best central defensive partnership this season."

With Kolo Toure away with the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations, 21-year-old Stefan Savic has featured in Kompany’s place, but the inexperienced Montenegro international has appeared vulnerable, making mistakes that have led to goals for Tottenham and Liverpool.

The Belgian international, however, has been in commanding form throughout the season with Richards pointing out his performances in the big games.

He continued, "He has played well in the big games and is a leader so it will be amazing to have him back and we can't wait to play with him again.

"He has still been coming in the changing room before games and saying how he feels we can improve, and what he would do if he was on the pitch, so he has still been an influence.

"But it's not nice for anyone. All the players and staff wanted him to play and he was kicking himself because it was another harsh decision to give him the ban.

"I am sure when he comes back he will give 110% and help us back to winning ways."

Richards featured at center back against Liverpool in the League Cup semifinal second leg after sharing the right back position with the versatile Pablo Zabaleta for most of the campaign, and confirmed his willingness to play any role as competition for places increases again.

“I have played right-back for the last couple of seasons and am enjoying it but if the manager needs me to play center back if there's an injury or something I will have to do so," said Richards.

"Vinny is coming back now and he and Joleon have it pretty much sorted out back there, and there will be more competition when Kolo [Toure] comes back."