Chelsea Vs Manchester United – Why Sunday’s clash is a must win game for both sides but for contrasting reasons

EDITORIAL
By Kaustav Bera

A massive difference of 12 points separates the Blues from the Red Devils but the two sides are in a sort of uncannily similar yet unfamiliar situation, which have come as a shock to the faithful. 

The two clubs, who have shared spoils among themselves when it comes to the Premier League for the past seven years, are no longer the ‘numero uno’ even in their own neighbourhood with the rise of the Blue side of Manchester and the reinvigorated Spurs side, who have opened up a seven point advantage over Chelsea.

Nonetheless, the priorities for both teams are rather different. Chelsea currently sit at fourth in the league with all hopes of ending up as champions of England relinquished. However they still have a pretty decent shot at both the FA Cup as well as the Champions League. While their ambition in the league maybe restricted to securing a top four finish with Champions League qualification for next year the main priority, Andre Villas-Boas may as well end up with a trophy in his first season at charge with Chelsea inspite of their lacklustre displays.

On the flipside, Manchester United, the current Premier League holders having negotiated the challenges of Chelsea and Arsenal in recent years are facing yet another challenger, in the form of their oft-overlooked neighbours. While United relish challenges, the Citizens are proving a tough nut to crack as they currently sit top of the table albeit on goal difference. However Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have a real possibility of finishing trophyless this season, which has last happened in the distant past in the 2004-05 season. With them crashing out of the Champions League followed in quick succession with the Carling Cup loss and the recent expulsion at the hands of Liverpool in the FA Cup.

The FA Cup Being Manchester United's Latest Casualty

And with Sir Alex dismissing the Europa League as a ‘punishment’ for the dismal performance in the Champions League group stages, winning the league yet again is the motivating factor.

In the first encounter between the two, which Chelsea had eventually lost 3-1 at Old Trafford, the scoreline told a hugely different story than what actually transpired. The match was what you call a 'comedy of errors' with both teams missing gilt-edged chances.

Chelsea had gone undefeated until this debacle at Old Trafford, but they did not roll over and die after this as they went on to win their next three games even putting five past Bolton at the Reebok stadium. Then they lost to QPR and at home where they were expected to outgun an injury struck Arsenal side where they surprisingly conceded five goals at Stamford Bridge of all places.

This has been the tale of Chelsea all throughout the season. Whenever they are down and counted out of the reckoning, they suddenly turn on another gear and go all guns blazing but then out of nowhere the old ghosts return and they return to drawing games they should have easily sailed through. Inconsistency has been the constant thorn in Villas-Boas’ side. 

   When Torres missed a sitter and Chelsea lost 1-3

After yet another unexpected surrender at home to Aston Villa before 2012 began, Chelsea all but looked to have squandered the fourth place which they had somehow held on to, but coupled with help from the other fourth spot hopefuls dropping points, and the Blues stringing together an unbeaten streak in the New Year, they held on.

However they again looked to have stepped off the pedal as they were held by newly promoted Norwich and Swansea, games which top four aspirants should have won with a lot to spare. Even the wins they managed were by a solitary goal and were clearly unconvincing displays from a side shorn of attacking intent. The statistic that no CFC player has crossed the 10 goal mark in the league is testament to that.

On a similar note, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were also no goal machines by any stretch of the imagination, but they had an air-tight defense and a resolve to grind out those numerous 1-0 results associated with their two title winning seasons under ‘The Special One’. Villas-Boas has promised a brand of entertaining football far from the yawn inspiring football Chelsea was linked with. But with lacklustre performances and indifferent results, his plan is indeed going awry.

                Mourinho's Chelsea could grind out wins

A missing Drogba, a Torres far removed from his goal-scoring antics from the Liverpool days, an ageing Frank Lampard with fitness concerns, and the lack of the midfield energy of Ramires and the pace of Ashley Cole at fullback and captain Terry ruled out, are only the start of problems that Chelsea will have to contend with at the Bridge when the Red Devils pay them a visit.

The dependable Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata who were Chelsea’ s glowing lights are also suffering from a lack of form lately. Chelsea indeed have a challenge on their hands as the trio of Newcastle, Liverpool and Arsenal trail them by 3, 4 and 5 points respectively. And with Arsenal and Newcastle battling it out against Blackburn and Aston Villa, there is every possibility of Chelsea losing the slender advantage they had over Arsene Wenger's side. And their hopes of catching third placed Tottenham would in all probability, be over.

Yes, Villas-Boas has been recruited by Roman Abramovich with the sole charge of rejuvenating an ageing Chelsea squad who are well past their prime. While Roman always expects trophies at Chelsea, that the transition phase could very well bring rewards only in the long run, must have been considered by him when making the appointment.

With Anelka packed off to China and Alex transferred to PSG, he has certainly signalled his intent. Bringing in youth with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Bramford are also a clear indication of his policy.

            Will Eden Hazard choose Chelsea if they are in the Europa League

However, even to attract the top young talent, a guarantee to play in next year’s Champions League is a must. And with Eden Hazard indicating that he would be interested in a move to England, Abramovich's spending power without an European place would simply be not enough to land one of the world’s top prospects.

Winning against Manchester United would certainly not be the end of it all however, with still 15 matches left in the season. At the same time what it would do is send out a reaffirmation that the Pensioners are still very much a force to reckon with.

  The continued injury absence of United's midfield spark Tom Cleverley: A reason?

For United, its certainly personal as they need to fend off their next door neighbours who have so far been overshadowed by their ‘Big Brother’. But fuelled by money and armed with a talented bunch of players and a tactically astute coach, it is Manchester City who have come of their own this season. Leading Manchester United for so long, after handing them a sound thrashing at the Theatre of Dreams of all places, by a staggering 5 goal margin,  it is only a disastrous 2012 which has seen them being tied on points with their more illustrious rivals.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side remarkably have not given up on their crown so easily inspite of having a clutch of injuries to deal with, with the injury list growing as quickly as Antonio Valencia’s assists and form of late! However injuries or no injuries even with a fully fit first eleven players, United have been frankly passable at best and woeful at worst, which is a far cry from their scintillating early season form, which was put to a premature halt with first the injury to United’s midfield spark, Tom Cleverley and the 6-1 hammering at the hands of the Citizens.

With consecutive defeats to strugglers Blackburn and a Newcastle side on the rise, they have not been able to capitalize on Manchester City’s poor form in the way they would have liked. This is not the United machine of old who never looked to drop a single point in the second half of the season and marched on relentlessly without respite. 

     When United lost the plot at Old Trafford losing to Blackburn

It is much more than defending the championship this time, as Manchester United need to keep pace with City not giving them even an inch of breathing space. And if (when) they do slip up, they will be ready to pounce. However the context goes far beyond a solitary season since United know that once they relinquish their grip on the Premier League and hand it over to Mancini’s side, with money not being a problem, the Citizens will be on the verge of a long spell of domination in English football and probably over the whole of European football too. Thus finishing second is not an option for the red half of Manchester.

      The Etihad Stadium has been a league fortress for Manchester City

And with City having not dropped a single point at the Etihad stadium, they are expected to brush aside a visiting Fulham side with ease. Thus United have to go into this match, not looking to sit back and earn a point but go all out for a win, which has been so elusive for Ferguson’s men who have last won at the Bridge in the league when the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy were on United’s payroll.

A must win for both teams but for different reasons altogether, the 'Sunday Showdown' promises to be a cracker of a match indeed.

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             What DO you think? Who will be triumphant? Who needs to win this more?

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