Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester Date & Time: Sunday, 10 March, 16:30 Referee: Howard Webb Chelsea travel to Old Trafford in the knowledge that they have never won an FA Cup game at the Theatre of Dreams, and scored their last FA Cup goal there in 1963. It's a trend they must buck if they want to win a domestic trophy this season. Both clubs are out of the Champions League but, as United currently sit atop the English football pyramid, Chelsea desperately need to win to have the chance of some English silverware. The last Premier League game between the two ended in a 3-2 victory for United. Javier Hernandez scored the winner that day and often enjoys games against the Londoners; the Mexican has netted five in his last six matches against them.
Team News
Wayne Rooney will most likely make a return to the starting eleven after only appearing as a substitute against Real Madrid. Sir Alex Ferguson moved quickly to quash rumours of a rift between himself and the player this week. He told
gathered journalists at the Manchester United training ground: "There is no issue between myself and Wayne Rooney. To suggest we don't talk is nonsense. He understood the reasons entirely." The 71-year-old manager also faces disciplinary action from UEFA for not fulfilling his post-match duties, but Rio Ferdinand will not meet the same fate for his sarcastic applause at Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir. The Red Devils can also expect a fine for instructing their players to avoid speaking to the press as they walked through the press area. Phil Jones is still out of action with an ankle problem, while Chris Smalling hopes to return and continue his run of starting every game in the FA Cup this season. Paul Scholes is also doubt for the match as his knee injury persists and Ryan Giggs won't recover in time. Chelsea rested Juan Mata for their Europa League tie with Steaua Bucharest but will likely recall him to the starting lineup alongside Demba Ba, who was ineligible to play on Thursday night. Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill look set to reclaim their places in the back four as the pair also went unused in Romania. Captain John Terry is showing no signs of fatigue in his rapid recovery from the ligament injury he suffered in 2012, and should be fit to lead his team out of the tunnel. The club's only long-term concern is Oriel Romeu, who is sidelined with a knee injury.
Source:BBC Sport
Likely Line-Ups;
Man Utd:
De Gea; Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Cleverly; Valencia, Rooney, Kagawa; van Persie Chelsea:
Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz, Cole; Mikel, Ramires; Moses, Mata, Hazard; Ba