adminLONDON. — For his first competitive home game as Manchester United manager, David Moyes could be forgiven for wishing the fixture computer had not spat out a game against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. Not only have Chelsea improved their formidable squad during the close season and started the new campaign with back-to-back wins, but in Mourinho they boast a coach who has a history of upsetting United’s best-laid plans.
It was Mourinho who led Porto to a sensational success at Old Trafford in 2004, Mourinho who momentarily knocked United off their pedestal in his first stint at Chelsea and Mourinho who guided Real Madrid to a smash-and-grab win over United in last season’s Champions League.
He was also, briefly, touted as a possible successor to Sir Alex Ferguson as manager of the English champions, before United plumped for tradition over razzmatazz and went for the comparatively untested Moyes.
The former Everton manager saw his new side run out convincing 4-1 winners at Swansea City in their opening English Premier League game last weekend, but tonight’s match is unlikely to be quite so straightforward. The match kicks-off at 9pm.
Chelsea already have two wins behind them — last Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa having been brought forward due to the London club’s involvement in the Uefa Super Cup — and they can move six points clear of United with a win at Old Trafford.
Moyes, though, is relishing the challenge.
“There have been a lot of things I have been looking forward to: taking the team on tour, leading them out at Wembley,” he said.
“But to do it at Old Trafford for the first game against Chelsea is a thrill for me, it really is.”
The television cameramen at Old Trafford will be primed for the slightest hint of bonhomie between Mourinho and Wayne Rooney, who has been the subject of two failed bids from Chelsea in recent weeks.
Mourinho promised not to make a third offer for the unsettled striker prior to tonight’s game, but it will undoubtedly make for the most intriguing sub-plot of the evening. — AFP.
Online Reporter