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English Premiership Football News ( 21 September 2008 )
Chelsea v Man Utd
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Sunday, 21 September Kick-off: 1400 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day
Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov could start up front for Manchester United against Chelsea on Sunday.
Berbatov has recovered from a knee injury, while Ronaldo made his comeback from ankle surgery as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Villareal.
Chelsea defender John Terry is available for the match after a successful appeal against a red card.
But Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has said striker Didier Drogba is still not fit enough to play for 90 minutes.
With uncertainty over the Ivory Coast international's fitness, Scolari could be tempted to name the same starting XI that has beaten Manchester City and Bordeaux in the past week.
Ferguson revealed Ronaldo is desperate to feature at Stamford Bridge following a 30-minute appearance in the 0-0 draw with Villareal on Wednesday, his first appearance since the Champions League final in May.
"Cristiano is nibbling in my ear all the time. He is bursting to play," said the Scot.
"The boy was on fire on Wednesday. He was revved up to do really well.
"When you think he has had an operation, has been in rehab for two months and had not played since May 21. It was a big ask for him.
"But you have to say his performance level was outstanding. He has trained very well and is a natural athlete, so I have no qualms on that score. I just have to decide whether it is the right time."
Ferguson also faces selection dilemmas over Nemanja Vidic's replacement after the centre-back was suspended after he was sent off in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool.
Wes Brown could move into the centre of defence, with the fit-again Gary Neville slotting in at right-back.
But Jonny Evans, 20, is also in the Scot's thinking after he played very well in the 0-0 draw with Villarreal on Wednesday.
"I need to work out whether I go with Evans' ability but lack of experience or whether I opt for Wes' experience and Gary at full-back," said Ferguson.
Neville played just once for United last season - as a substitute in the 1-0 Champions League quarter-final second-leg win over Roma - due to an ankle injury.
"Gary was only playing his second competitive match on Wednesday but he did very well," added Ferguson.
"That will bring him on if I decide to play him on Sunday but Evans was excellent as well."
"Jonny was the big plus. For a young man of 20, he shows great maturity in his game.
"He reads the game well, which is a fantastic asset to have at such a young age.
"He is commanding in the air and a good user of the ball and that gives me confidence that he could step right into the first team with no worries."
While Evans impressed, there were signs of rustiness in Neville's game, particularly in his crossing, but it was his first competitive start since breaking his ankle against Bolton in March 2007.
"I just need games," said the 33-year-old defender. "Having been out for so long I need a run in the side.
"But it is difficult to get that at the moment because Wes Brown has performed so well and deserves to play.
"It is just a case of remaining patient, keeping fit and training well every day.
"I have made steady progress and when you look at the programme of matches we have coming up I am sure there will be enough games for everyone."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Chelsea get a first opportunity to avenge their defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League final. Victory would see them open up a nine point advantage over the domestic and European champions in the Premier League table.
Both clubs had differing fortunes in Europe in midweek; Chelsea equalled their record home win in the Champions League with a 4-0 eclipse of Bordeaux, while a much changed United were held to a goalless draw by Villarreal at Old Trafford in their opening group match.
This is Manchester United's second successive 'Big Four' match-up in the Premier League, after last Saturday's 2-1 away loss to Liverpool. They are in danger of suffering successive league defeats for the first time in 122 outings.
Luiz Felipe Scolari has made a most impressive start as manager of Chelsea with four wins and one draw from five matches in all competitions; defeat for United here will equal the Red Devils' worst ever start to a Premier League season.
United have been beaten more times by Chelsea in the Premier League than by any other club (10) and have dropped more points to them than any other team (56).
The Red Devils were the last club to beat Chelsea in a Premier League game by more than a single goal (23 September 2007); Chelsea were the last club to beat United by more than a single goal (29 April 2006).
[source by bbcnews]
English Premiership Football News ( 21 September 2008 )
Chelsea v Man Utd
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Sunday, 21 September Kick-off: 1400 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day
Cristiano Ronaldo and Dimitar Berbatov could start up front for Manchester United against Chelsea on Sunday.
Berbatov has recovered from a knee injury, while Ronaldo made his comeback from ankle surgery as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Villareal.
Chelsea defender John Terry is available for the match after a successful appeal against a red card.
But Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has said striker Didier Drogba is still not fit enough to play for 90 minutes.
With uncertainty over the Ivory Coast international's fitness, Scolari could be tempted to name the same starting XI that has beaten Manchester City and Bordeaux in the past week.
Ferguson revealed Ronaldo is desperate to feature at Stamford Bridge following a 30-minute appearance in the 0-0 draw with Villareal on Wednesday, his first appearance since the Champions League final in May.
"Cristiano is nibbling in my ear all the time. He is bursting to play," said the Scot.
"The boy was on fire on Wednesday. He was revved up to do really well.
"When you think he has had an operation, has been in rehab for two months and had not played since May 21. It was a big ask for him.
"But you have to say his performance level was outstanding. He has trained very well and is a natural athlete, so I have no qualms on that score. I just have to decide whether it is the right time."
Ferguson also faces selection dilemmas over Nemanja Vidic's replacement after the centre-back was suspended after he was sent off in the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool.
Wes Brown could move into the centre of defence, with the fit-again Gary Neville slotting in at right-back.
But Jonny Evans, 20, is also in the Scot's thinking after he played very well in the 0-0 draw with Villarreal on Wednesday.
"I need to work out whether I go with Evans' ability but lack of experience or whether I opt for Wes' experience and Gary at full-back," said Ferguson.
Neville played just once for United last season - as a substitute in the 1-0 Champions League quarter-final second-leg win over Roma - due to an ankle injury.
"Gary was only playing his second competitive match on Wednesday but he did very well," added Ferguson.
"That will bring him on if I decide to play him on Sunday but Evans was excellent as well."
"Jonny was the big plus. For a young man of 20, he shows great maturity in his game.
"He reads the game well, which is a fantastic asset to have at such a young age.
"He is commanding in the air and a good user of the ball and that gives me confidence that he could step right into the first team with no worries."
While Evans impressed, there were signs of rustiness in Neville's game, particularly in his crossing, but it was his first competitive start since breaking his ankle against Bolton in March 2007.
"I just need games," said the 33-year-old defender. "Having been out for so long I need a run in the side.
"But it is difficult to get that at the moment because Wes Brown has performed so well and deserves to play.
"It is just a case of remaining patient, keeping fit and training well every day.
"I have made steady progress and when you look at the programme of matches we have coming up I am sure there will be enough games for everyone."
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Chelsea get a first opportunity to avenge their defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League final. Victory would see them open up a nine point advantage over the domestic and European champions in the Premier League table.
Both clubs had differing fortunes in Europe in midweek; Chelsea equalled their record home win in the Champions League with a 4-0 eclipse of Bordeaux, while a much changed United were held to a goalless draw by Villarreal at Old Trafford in their opening group match.
This is Manchester United's second successive 'Big Four' match-up in the Premier League, after last Saturday's 2-1 away loss to Liverpool. They are in danger of suffering successive league defeats for the first time in 122 outings.
Luiz Felipe Scolari has made a most impressive start as manager of Chelsea with four wins and one draw from five matches in all competitions; defeat for United here will equal the Red Devils' worst ever start to a Premier League season.
United have been beaten more times by Chelsea in the Premier League than by any other club (10) and have dropped more points to them than any other team (56).
The Red Devils were the last club to beat Chelsea in a Premier League game by more than a single goal (23 September 2007); Chelsea were the last club to beat United by more than a single goal (29 April 2006).
[source by bbcnews]
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