Europe may bring out the very best in Torres
CHELSEA’S team picks itself – apart from up front. For me, Didier Drogba has to play, so it then becomes a question of who partners him: Fernando Torres or Nicolas Anelka.
On form you’d go with Anelka, because I watched Torres on Saturday and he did not look like a goal threat, and the Frenchman definitely has a better understanding with Drogba.
Having said that, Torres has a great record against Manchester United and I would be tempted to gamble on him tonight. He has to get that goal sooner or later.
Chelsea have a few things in their favour. They have home advantage, and so will have a raucous crowd right behind them, are playing reasonably well, and can boast recent wins over Manchester City – and, crucially, United – under their belts.
Yes, they might have failed to beat Stoke on Saturday but I don’t believe that will take too much wind out of their sails – after all, the Champions League is the competition they really believe they can win this season.
Will Rooney’s punishment for swearing make him more fired up? I’m not sure that’s possible. What will be interesting is seeing who Sir Alex Ferguson picks, because it’s far harder to predict his selection.