We've been playing 3 a week for about 3 months. Most players would rather play than train. We have a 1 goal advantage so can probably afford to rest one or two. Man U have nothing to play for. If you give players an excuse to lose more often than not they will. Our week will be no tougher than anyone else's. I think it's still in the balance now tbh
United would be more than happy to dent Chelsea's chances of getting into the top 4 and I can't see SAF allowing Chelsea an easy win at Old Trafford either. With Arsenal it was different, SAF allowed his players to go out and celebrate, he's got respect for Wenger too and so he was never going to go into the game bullishly and go all out for the result. For Chelsea though, I doubt he likes their players much, he doesn't have much time for the club and he certainly doesn't like Rafa, this might be the last time the two of them come up against eachother and I doubt he'll want to gift the final say to the FSW.
Of course they do, DL. I'm sure that they'd see Chelsea as a bigger threat in next season's Champions League than Spurs or Arsenal, so if they can eliminate that threat now then they'll want to do so. Will it have a significant affect upon their application or motivation for the game itself? Probably not, but the idea that they wouldn't have a preference is just wrong, in my opinion.
Only Fergie and Rafa won't be taking to the field... I hope United are difficult to beat on any given day but there's a big difference between facing a United with the bit between their teeth and needing to win than a United side that have no extra incentive to win. United haven't played with the same kind of tempo we've been accustomed to seeing since City lost at Goodison. I don't see why that would change if it wouldn't for City, or Arsenal, then why especially us? United have nothing to play for so it will lead to a more open game which will hopefully suit us.
I disagree. As players they'll think about it from an individual viewpoint. Van Persie would probably want Arsenal to get top 4. Evra/Rio/Carrick would probably want Spurs to get it. Rafael/Anderson/Nani/De Gea would probably want Chelsea. Don't really think players will look at it from a group perspective, they don't have the foresight IMO.
I don't think they massively care but it's amongst many factors that make me think United won't give you an easy ride regardless of their league situation. I could understand if they were still in the CL or FA Cup but do you honestly see Chelsea resting players/messing around if the roles were reversed and you were playing them with nothing else to play for all season.
They won't give us an easy ride at all. United on any given day are tough to beat there is a massive difference between playing a highly motivated side and one that is half way on the flight to Seychelles. United have a history of taking their foot off the gas when all is done and dusted (See 06/07, 08/09 & 10/11 seasons). I am sure that if United had needed to win at the Emirates on Sunday they would have, but they never really busted a gut to win, same at West Ham.
It's the dirty little not-so-secret of sports. Forget about Spurs this year. The margin of victory in most sports is so slender, and officiating is so crap, that champions are probably determined by official favoritism as often as not.
I tend to agree with this. Alluding to Fergie's recent quotes regarding our (Chelsea's) summer signings, we pose the most threat to United long term, and it is therefore in their long term interest to ensure we don't qualify next season. However, they have struggled to cope with us this season, and we were unlucky to lose the ones we did. Only this time we'll be extra incentivised due to the squeaky bum time in the CL qualification run in, while they will only match their previous efforts at best. For this reason, I expect us to win.
SAF wants to win every game. It's so ingrained in his psyche. He won't want Utd to fritter away the lead over City and win the title by six points, rather than sixteen. He won't want to concede any initiative to a team he will consider to be title rivals next season. He won't want a third team to win at OT in the same season and for the pundits to able to comment on Utd losing at home to three of their closest competitors. In fact, there are countless reasons why he won't give an inch and will expect his players to do the same.
I have said all along i am not confident with Chelsea away and never am but i still hold hope and if we can end our Old trafford hoodoo and beat the champions away then there is no reason why we can't beat Chelsea. Chelsea no doubt have the toughest run in of all the teams chasing top 4 and they also have the 2nd leg Europa to contend with so this gives me a little more hope aswell. I'm hoping Chelsea will drop points Sunday and i personally think they will against United and us to beat Southampton means the game at the bridge could potentially be a winner takes 3rd place sort of game.
The ref for Man U v Chelsea is Howard Webb So we can expect him to put his hatred for Spurs ahead of his Man U worship
I don't understand why all the pundits were adamant that spurs had the hardest run? (when we all had about 7 games left or so) Chelsea's was much tougher!
To be frank, it doesn't matter what Ferguson wants, it will be his players on the pitch playing the game. A lot of it depends on their motivation and it's almost a given that they have less motivation now except for pride. I don't think the Man U players will bust a gut and taking personal risks to try and win the game. I think Chelsea can win against Man U as the players are fighting for a CL spot, they will have more motivation and determination than the Man U players to win the game. Naturally, I happy to be proven wrong!
