Mourinho Looking Forward To United Challenge

Mourinho Looking Forward To United Challenge

Tonight’s match at Old Trafford between Chelsea and Manchester United is a first on many levels. It is David Moyes’ first home game in charge of United; it is the first meeting between Moyes and Mourinho as managers of Manchester United and Chelsea respectively and it is Chelsea’s first away game of the season with Mourinho in charge for the second time.

This is always a high intensity fixture between two of England’s power-houses and tonight will certainly be no different as both teams will be looking to lay down a marker and show that they are the team to beat this year in the Barclays Premier League. Chelsea currently sit at the top of the league with two wins from two and are ahead of Liverpool because of their superior goal difference. A win by United tonight, who have only played one game, would put them on top of the league pushing the Blues into second place.

This fixture is full of passion normally but this year we have the whole Wayne Rooney affair to add extra spice to it. Chelsea have made two bids for the want-away United striker but both offers have been turned down by the United brass and they have stated that the player is not for sale despite his desire to leave Old Trafford and the fact that he looks like his shoes are at the door. Against Swansea City last Monday Rooney came on as a second half substitute and played well but looked like he was somewhat estranged from his team-mates as he barely joined in on the goal celebrations and looked unhappy.

Jose Mourinho has said that he will leave the possible transfer of Rooney until after the match has been played and Sky Sports News are reporting today that David Moyes is strongly considering starting Rooney against Chelsea which will test the resolve and character of all parties involved. Rooney will be showing the Blues what they would get if they buy him, yet if he goes to West London he would want United to be on the wrong end of the game tonight but as he is still a United player he must maintain his professional ethics and play at this best to try and secure a victory for the red half of Manchester.

Although the match tonight will not decide much in terms of the overall season, it will certainly set the tone for both teams and will for sure be a cracking match. Chelsea have had the better of the fixture recently only losing once to United last season as they knocked them out of the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup and beat them in the League once and lost to them once. So recent history suggests a Chelsea win so lets hope the form book holds true for Mourinho and his men to win tonight and then hopefully Chelsea are able to secure the signing of Rooney shortly thereafter but it is not going to be easy getting their man or the win.