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Written on May 20, 2008 – 7:08 pm | by Admin |

Manchester United plays Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League Finals in Moscow. Manchester United vs Chelsea highlights and video at Goalcentre.com

This year finale will be an all English affair as Manchester United will be playing Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League finals in Moscow (19.45 UK Time) approximately 24 hours from now. Both teams will be looking to end their season on a high with the most prestigious trophy in Europe. Nonetheless, be rest assure that this game will surely an entertaining classic encounter with United looking sharp on attack and Chelsea stingy at the back.

Sir Alex will be looking to add another trophy in the cabinet full of trophies under his charge will his nemesis Avram Grant will be looking to safe his job by winning the UEFA Champions League. It’s one a piece between Sir Alex and Avram Grant as Manchester United defeated Chelsea 2-0 earlier in the season, with Avram Grant first match in charge while Chelsea defeated Manchester United at Stamford Bridge 2-1 thanks to a Michael Ballack double.

Both squad will have a full squad to pick from with no major injuries on any players on both side which will be a blessing to all as the best will be shown in Moscow. Good luck for both sides as i will be wearing red in support to the Devils! What about you?

Another interesting write up by Ahmed Bilal of Soccerlens on the Manchester United vs Chelsea match preview. Enjoy!

21 May 2008 – Luzhniki Stadium – Moscow
Time: 20:45 (CET), 19:45 (UK), 23:45 (PK), 14:45 (EST).

The 2007/2008 season will end like it started – with Chelsea and Manchester United scrapping for bragging rights as the best team in England. United have won the Premier League but for both clubs the Champions League holds a greater significance.

The various stats, trivia, historical links and significant milestones have been done to death – if you want a comprehensive list please download the press kit from UEFA (PDF).

Both teams will hold a press conference on Tuesday evening before their respective training sessions, something that will give us a good picture of prospective starting lineups. As Grant said, this won’t be a platform for tactical surprises so expect something similar to what you’ve seen at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge this season – both teams tight at the back and pushing forward in numbers when they get the chance.

United have, in recent matches against Chelsea, Arsenal and sometimes even Liverpool, have had a weak center that’s been unable to hold it’s own and as a result the team is often pinned back, although that does allow United to play on the counter and create opportunities as we’ve seen against Liverpool and Arsenal. In fact at Emirates United were quite positive (as they were at Old Trafford against Chelsea, even before the red card) and I hope we’ll see that again in Moscow with a strong midfield standing up to Chelsea and pushing them back instead of being pinned outside the penalty area.

If you’re aching for pretty triangles, you’re in the wrong place. The end product of the two sides’ playing styles is a battle of physical attrition split by the odd mistake or moment of brilliance, and unless one team plays shockingly poor you’ll see a fairly even game decided by the odd goal. The stakes – this time worth more than just the financial rewards – are too high for this game to be an aesthetic showpiece where opponents are allowed the time and space to conjure magic for their TV audience.

Manchester United Watch

Visit Red Rants for the latest news and discussions on the Champions League final and other Manchester United news.

Rooney will kill himself to be fit for this game, so expect him to play.

A Champions League final, especially the club’s first in 9 years, is no place for emotion or goodbyes. Still, Giggs and Scholes have little value as impact players and one of them will probably start seeing that Fergie will probably play a 4-5-1/4-3-3 with Rooney on the left and 3 central midfielders (Carrick is the only certain starter IMO) to match Chelsea’s physical strength down the middle.

Potential starting lineup: EVDS, Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez

I’d rather see Anderson there instead of Scholes (based purely on his energy levels and the fact that both Carrick and Hargreaves can be creative outlets if given that role), but Scholes gives United a better option in terms of goal-scoring / goal-creating opportunities than Anderson, and I’m pretty sure this game will have both managers looking to score as opposed to sitting back and waiting for mistakes.

Chelsea Watch

John Terry and Didier Drogba, like Wayne Rooney, would walk through walls to play in the Champions League final and you can expect both of them to be fit barring a serious problem. Both players are central to Chelsea’s chances of success against United here and their presence will be a psychological and physical bonus for their teammates. Carvalho should be back as well.

Other than that, the Coles, Ballack, Lampard, Essien and Cech would also start, leaving only the right-back (if Essien takes up a midfield berth) and the second striker / winger position up for grabs, and I’d put that to either Kalou or Malouda.

Make of the Chelsea side what you will, but I don’t think Bosingwa is the answer Chelsea are looking for at right-back. He might do an Evra / Vidic and surprise everyone, but what are the odds?

Regardless of what happened in the league, Chelsea go into the Champions League final as slight favourites, if only because of their superiority in central midfield, and I’d expect Grant to capitalise on that.

Predictions

If there was ever a time for United’s star kids (Ronaldo and Rooney, I’m looking at you) to stand up and answer their critics, this is it.

No predictions though – Chelsea or Manchester United, just keep in mind that it’s been a good season for both clubs.

Other interesting write ups on the Manchester United vs Chelsea match:- (Click to view)

CL Finals: 24ish Hours to Go

CHELSEA VS MAN UTD – 07/08 UEFA Champions League Final

Champions League Final 2008 – Preview

Riding the rocket to Russia…

The Battle of Britain – Manchester United V Chelsea

What Man U And Chelsea Fans In Nigeria Are Saying

Manchester United, Chelsea well matched

Champions League Preview; Manchester United v Chelsea

Manchester United Vs Chelsea

Manchester United v Chelsea – battle of the minds?

Champions League Preview – Chelsea v Manchester United

Champions League Final: Manchester United Vs Chelsea

UEFA Champions League Final: Chelsea v Manchester United

Getting Crunk for the Champions League Final

This is It. The Champions League Final Preview

Manchester United V Chelsea in Champions League Final

Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Manchester United Vs Chelsea Match Preview Best fitted Squad Champions League Final 2008 Moscow 21st May Wed

Champions League Final – Manchester United vs. Chelsea – Football Globalization in its Best Level

Can Manchester United Retain Their Superiority?

So have you made your choice? Good luck to both teams and have fun peeps! See you in 24 hours!

A video preview of tomorrow’s match:-

Manchester United Highlights

Goals…

First Half Highlights