Match report: Chelsea 1-0 United

Chelsea maintained their pursuit of the domestic double as N'golo Kante's second half winner settled a stormy FA Cup quarter-final.

After Ander Herrera's red card left the holders with an almost impossible uphill struggle, Kante's sublime 20-yarder early in the second half proved enough for Antonio Conte's side to progress.

United were hit by a striker crisis coming into the contest, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic banned and both Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial injured.

Marcus Rashford rose from his sickbed to lead the line, and the youngster was arguably United's most influential player.

The Reds fell behind inside a minute in October's league meeting, but this time we started well and soon carved out a decent opening.

Rashford was challenged on the edge of the area and the ball dropped for Henrikh Mkhitaryan who fired narrowly wide from 18 yards.

The hosts then went close themselves as Eden Hazard brilliantly turned away from Chris Smalling and burst through on goal.

David de Gea was equal to the effort, though and turned the ball behind with a marvellous reflex stop.

The keeper again came to his side's rescue again from the resultant corner as, despite being unsighted, he palmed away stand-in skipper Gary Cahill's low shot.

Conte and opposite number Mourinho were kicking every ball on the touchline and had to be pulled apart by the fourth official after a coming together between Marcos Alonso and Phil Jones.

Then came the pivotal moment in the contest on 35 minutes.

Herrera's foul on Hazard was clumsy but the Belgian made the most of it with a vastly exaggerated tumble as he went down like he'd been shot, and referee Michael Oliver dismissed the Spaniard.

That left the Reds with a mountain to climb and Chelsea were dominant from then on.

Victor Moses had an effort blocked, Cesar Azpilicueta went close and then Kante capped another magnificent showing with his decisive goal.

Rashford continued to prove United's inspiration and almost pulled his side level just beyond the hour mark.

David Luiz misjudged a long ball, Rashford ran on to before twisting and turning his way past Cahill, only to be denied by a superb sprawling save from Thibaut Courtois.

Paul Pogba flashed a shot wide and Willian was thwarted by De Gea at the other end but, despite a brave and valiant effort, there was no way back for United.

Overall team performance: 6.5/10

United Man of the Match: Marcus Rashford

United set for strikerless system at Stamford Bridge

United's plans for Monday's FA Cup tie at Chelsea have been thrown into chaos after devastating injury news.

The Reds will make the trip to Antonio Conte's champions-elect without a recognised striker for the quarter-final showdown.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic begins a three-game ban for elbowing Tyrone Mings and Wayne Rooney is sidelined.

The United and England captain misses out with a head injury after he collided with Phil Jones in training.

Without the 26-goal Swede, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial were expected to fill the void and feature prominently for United at the Bridge. 

After both suffering stop-start seasons so far, the young duo had been touted to step up to shine with a place in a Wembley semi-final at stake. 

There were rumours of their absence when the rest of the squad were pictured leaving Stockport station without them, and it later emerged the pair have been sidelined with illness.

When the draw pitted United against Chelsea away from home, it was the toughest tie possible and the biggest of asks.

Everything points to a win for the west London side: without the rigours of European football, they've stayed fresh and are champions-elect having surged ten points clear in the league.
The Reds made a 4,000 mile round trip to Russia on Thursday, we've a wretched record against the hosts  and Chelsea are not a side you want to face when you're tired.

Quite simply, there's no better team in the country at present. 

It's no co-incidence that they've suffered no injuries as a result of playing once a week, with United's schedule clogged by domestic and Europa League commitments.

Zlatan's suspension left us with an uphill struggle and this trio of injuries and illness suggests it's now almost mission impossible.

Jose's carefully-constructed gameplan will now need a rapid re-think, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan a possible option to move into the middle as a 'false nine'. 

In that selection, Juan Mata would likely start on the right and either the hard-working Jesse Lingard or Ashley Young wide left.

Alternatively, Marouane Fellaini could be deployed as an emergency centre-forward as he has been in the past under Louis van Gaal.

Luke Shaw was rested for the trip to Rostov but travelled with the squad, with Tim Fosu-Mensah and Eric Bailly also among the 19-man party. 

Travelling United players: De Gea, Romero, Henderson, Valencia, Darmian, Fosu-Mensah, Jones, Bailly, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Shaw, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Young. 

Reds set for toughest test of the season at Stamford Bridge

United's bid to successfully retain the FA Cup for the first time ever meets a major hurdle with a daunting last-eight trip to double-winners elect Chelsea.

The stage is set for a mouthwatering heavyweight contest between the country's two most in-form sides for a place at Wembley.

After winning the first major trophy of the season last month, the Reds have built an impressive run of one defeat in 28 matches in all competitions, that stretches back to October.

Our last meaningful defeat came at the hands of Monday's opponents as the Stamford Bridge side ruined Jose's first return with an emphatic 4-0 defeat.

A repeat of that scoreline looks unlikely, with United a much-improved outfit since then, but Chelsea have only lost once at home this term and are favourites for the domestic double. 

Without the demands of European football, Antonio Conte's side have managed to keep their squad fresh, focused and injury-free and the Blues hold an imposing record against us.

We've not beaten them in 11 attempts since 2012 when Robin Van Persie and Chicharito scored in a 3-2 win in west London during SAF's last season. 

That's a damning statistic that is sure to affect United psychologically and to make the task even harder, the absence of 26-goal Zlatan Ibrahimovic serves a major blow.

The Reds top scorer and talisman begins a three-match ban after he elbowed Bournemouth's Tyrone Mings during last weekend's 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

That immediately gives Jose Mourinho a question to answer.

Wayne Rooney was rested for Rostov and could return, Anthony Martial may move into the middle or Marcus Rashford could get his chance up front. 

United have, at times, relied on Ibra's strength and firepower this season: his 26 goals in all competitions put him 17 ahead of our second top scorer Juan Mata.

His absence creates problems not just for his goal-scoring but also his aerial ability and influence on the rest of the team.
Zlatan is the inspirational figurehead and leader of the attack and his suspension will make life 
easier for Chelsea's back three.

Conte's switch to that system was widely regarded as the turning point of their season, with Tottenham the only team to beat them since.

Mourinho deployed a wing-back system in Russia to match Rostov's shape, and could utilise it again here to deal with the floating threats of Eden Hazard and Pedro. 

Whatever system and formation Jose uses, we can be sure that he will have a plan to derail his former club's seemingly unstoppable march to glory. 

Match preview: Chelsea v United

United face the stiffest test so far in their FA Cup defence with a quarter-final trip to champions elect Chelsea.

For the third season in succession, the Reds have reached the last eight but - having seen off Championship opposition in every round so far - the draw handed the holders the toughest possible pairing. 

Antonio Conte’s side have proved an irresistible force this term to sweep all before them and power to a seemingly unassailable ten-point title lead. 

Led by star duo Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, the Blues have built an impressive home record, having lost only once on home turf all season - to Liverpool back in September.

Jose’s first return to his former stamping ground back in October ended in a chastening 4-0 reverse, the Reds last meaningful domestic defeat.

Once again, the boss’s return to his former employers will dominate the build-up to this mouthwatering tie, with Jose keen to set the record straight having fallen well short last time. 

Chelsea remain favourites to win the domestic double and United’s already difficult challenge is made harder by the enforced absence of top scorer Zlatan.

The Swede will serve the first of his three-game ban at the Bridge with Marcus Rashford his likely replacement up front.

Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw both sat out the trip to Rostov and are pushing for inclusions, whilst Eric Bailly is available again. 

Chelsea’s surge to the top of the table has been aided by very few injury problems and the hosts are expected to again report a clean bill of health. 

Despite the Reds illustrious Cup history we’ve never successfully retained the trophy, but victory here would seal another trip to Wembley.

United have won four times at the national stadium in less than a year and - with Arsenal and City already through - the semi finals will be held on 22/23 April. 

This heavyweight contest could also be brushed with a touch of history.

There are no replays at this stage of the competition, which means the match will be played to a finish on the night - with extra-time and penalties if needed.

Also for the first time, the managers can make a fourth substitution during the match should an additional 30 minutes be required. 

Form guide: Chelsea D W D W W W United W W W W D D
Match odds: Chelsea 9/4 Draw 5/2 United 18/5

Referee: Michael Oliver 

Match report: FC Rostov 1-1 United

United remain favourites to progress to the Europa League quarter-finals thanks to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s away goal in Rostov.

The Armenian put the visitors ahead ten minutes before the break and - although Aleksandr Bukharov equalised - the Reds emerged unscathed on a challenging surface

Four days before the FA Cup quarter-final at Chelsea, there were understandable concerns over the state of the Olimp-2 stadium pitch.

But the Reds delivered a professional away performance, none of the players picked up an injury and - against a side with an indifferent record on the road - will be confident of progress in next week’s second leg. 

United lined up in an unfamiliar 3-5-2 system with Ashley Young and Daley Blind as wing-backs to counter Rostov’s own formation.

Paul Pogba miscued from close range early on, but the bobbly pitch and swirling wind contributed to a scrappy encounter of few chances. United went ahead with the one moment of quality in an otherwise disappointing half.

Marouane Fellaini superbly pulled down Phil Jones long cross-field pass and picked out Zlatan Ibrahimovic.                                                                                   The Swede drifted away from his marker and cut the ball back for Mkhitaryan to stroke home from six yards for his third successive European away goal. 

Ibrahimovic went close and Young flashed an effort wide after the interval as United threatened to take control of the tie.

But Rostov, who beat Bayern Munich at home in their Champions League campaign, finally came to life. 

Like United, the hosts scored from their first real opportunity on 53 minutes.
Bukharov latched on to Timofei Kalachev’s nice-weighted through ball to control and blast in beyond Sergio Romero.

Aleksandr Erokhin had a penalty appeal waved away and he then poked wide when well placed shortly afterwards.

Erokhin headed over, Aleksandr Gatskan tested Romero from distance whilst substitute Anthony Martial went close at the other end.                                      Fellaini headed straight at Rostov keeper Nikita Medvedev, and Marcos Rojo’s brilliant lunging challenge thwarted Sardar Azmoun when he threatened to burst clear. 

Neither side were able to force a late winner, but Mkhitaryan's important away goal leaves us with the slight advantage ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford. 

Overall team performance: 7/10                                                                                          United Faithful Man of the Match: Marcos Rojo 

Match preview: FC Rostov v United

United make the 2,000 mile trip for a first ever meeting with Russian side FC Rostov amid concerns over their pitch. 

The Reds cruised past Saint-Etienne 4-0 on aggregate last time out to set up this Europa League last-16 tie against a side who narrowly missed out on qualification to the Champions League knockouts.

In their first ever European campaign, Rostov famously beat Bayern Munich 3-2 at the Olimp-2 to finish a creditable third in the competition's "Group of Death", a pool which also contained Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. 

Ivan Daniliants side are unbeaten at home for nearly two years - May 2015 was their last loss on home soil - and Mourinho admitted the state of their surface could affect his team selection.

He said: "It's hard to believe that we play a European away match on this field, if you can call it a field.

"I don't know which team to play, really, I have a lot to think about because I was expecting something more playable.

"I spoke to a gentleman from UEFA when I looked at the pitch and he said that is something happens then no problem - the players are insured so we shall play.

"Normally I know my selection a couple of days beforehand but this time I don't so it is difficult.
"It's a similar pitch to the one we had in China when Man City decided not to play, but this time we have no option so we have to deal with the situation." 

The Reds faced a similar struggle in Ukraine in the last group match when they defied a plastic surface and sub-zero temperatures to beat Zorya Luhansk 2-0. 

United will definitely be without Eric Bailly through suspension after his sending off in the second leg against Saint-Etienne.
The hosts have a near full-strength squad to pick from but first-choice keeper Soslan Dzhanaev will miss out with injury. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to feature despite a three-match domestic ban and Henrikh Mkhitaryan has travelled, although the Armenian's hamstring may not be risked. 

Both players featured prominently in the last round, after Mkhitaryan rubber-stamped Ibra's first hat-trick for United in a comfortable two-legged win over the Ligue 1 side. 

Rostov also enjoyed an impressive aggregate victory to reach this stage as they brushed aside their Champions League disappointment to despatch Sparta Prague 5-1. 

Form guide: Rostov W D W L D W United W W W W W D 
Match odds: FC Rostov 17/4 Draw 5/2 United 4/5
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany) 

Match preview: United v Bournemouth

United return to league action against free-falling Bournemouth in a meeting between two teams in vastly contrasting form. 

Fresh from their thrilling EFL Cup win over Southampton last time out, United - with one defeat in 25 and six wins in a row - can move fourth with victory over the Cherries. 

The Reds have not played a league match for a fortnight but a win would lift us above both inconsistent Liverpool and an indifferent Arsenal, who meet at Anfield in the tea time kick off. 

Eddie Howe’s side survived in relative comfort in their first ever Premier League campaign last term, but have not found things as stable this time around.

The out of form Cherries are without a win in 2017, a torrid run of eight matches, to slip from mid-table to the fringes of a relegation battle.

They sit 14th but are four points off the drop zone and looking nervously over their shoulders at the chasing pack.

Despite the visitors poor form, United boss Jose Mourinho said that his side cannot underestimate the south coast outfit.

He said: “Bournemouth are a very tricky and dangerous team with quality and ambition, they are not afraid to play .
“They always try to attack, and to win, never to play just to draw, so they will pose a difficult challenge and we cannot underestimate them.                                         “I think there will be no impact from us after the EFL Cup win, it is one less competition for us to worry about - the League Cup is finished and we have to focus on the league.”

Mourinho confirmed that Luke Shaw - who has not played since the 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan - and captain Wayne Rooney are both set to feature in some capacity against the Cherries. 

Phil Jones is also set to return but Henrikh Mkhitaryan remains doubtful. 

The corresponding fixture on the final day of last season was memorable for all the wrong reasons when the game was abandoned because of a suspicious device found in an Old Trafford toilet.

It was later found to have been left behind by a local private firm during a routine exercise but United won the hastily rearranged fixture 3-1 three days later.

Form guide: United W W W W W W Bournemouth L D L L L L

Match odds: United 1/3 Draw 5/1 Bournemouth 14/1
Referee: Kevin Friend