Capital One Week

This week in cliche terms sees a very important week in United's season. Three games this week with two visits to the bridge to play Chelsea in the league and league cup and Arsenal visiting next weekend. All three games against the capitals finest and a great week of football to look forward to.

The midweek results in the champions league which saw United eventually win and Chelsea and Arsenal suffer reversals the question sees is it a good time to play Arsenal and Chelsea? Chelsea in the the premiership have been pretty faultless against the opposition they have faced and now enjoy a 4 point lead against the Manchester clubs. Too early to say this is a title decider but this will go a long way to deciding who could lift the trophy in May.

United's record at the bridge is bordering on the extremely poor, no win in over 10 years in the league (although a champions league win there did make up for some of those years), they have suffered badly by poor performances or inconsistent refs and the record needs to be broken soon.

Chelsea squad has undergone some surgery in the summer and the team now looks a lot more dynamic and agile than of previous seasons. The standout players have been Juan Mata and Eden Hazard. None more so against Tottenham last weekend where they single handledly turned the game and what looked lost ended up in a comprehensive win. Chelsea may have to rely on the younger breed as John Terry serves a suspension and frank Lampard likely to miss out due to injury. Some argue Chelsea haven't been tested in the league yet so the clash against United should be a good barometer of how they are progressing.

As for United tactics the diamond formation may not be adopted following news of Kagawa injury for 3-4 weeks. This leaves the traditional 4-4-2 or the more likely formation of the 4-5-1 away formation. Following his midweek scoring heroics Javier Hernandez is likely to miss out as RVP will lead the line with Rooney playing a more deeper role. The news of Ashley Young return should boost the wingers department which has been small in recent works but the game of this magnitude may have come early for Ashley and Nani and Valencia should get the nod.

The defence should have a more familiar look with Rio and Evra returning to add a bit more experience to the back line which got exposed in the first 20 minutes against Braga. Rafael and Evra will continue to attack but with Chelsea attacking midfielders hopefully defence will be there first thought. David De gea will continue in goal following the injury of Anders Lindegaard. There was nothing he could do about the goals he conceded on Tuesday night but the worry will be his concentration as after clawing back a 2 goal deficit he nearly lost it all with a poor decision to play the ball out with attackers in close proximity. He maybe a bit more busier on Sunday so that will improve his thinking. De Gea played in last years 3-3 draw and that save in the last minute from Mata was crucial. I expect both teams to go 4-5-1 and given United's record at the bridge I would like to think that this long nightmare may end!

As for the cup game I would expect major changes with the Arsenal clash on early Saturday. The likes of Buttner, Keane, Wooton, Fletcher and hernandez to feature. On this basis and Chelsea being at home, I would expect a home win.

The Arsenal game is intriguing as after a good start they are now suffering for the loss of RVP goals. Also the defence is now leaking goals after a bright start and the week hasn't got any better with a home defeat in the champions league, disgruntled fans at the clubs AGM and rumours of a bust up between Wenger and his number 2 Stevie Bould.

This could be the perfect time to play Arsenal and given there poor record at Old Trafford, this trip for Arsenal maybe the last thing they need. Arsenal did get recruits in the summer and Poldolski and corzola look decent buys who have added a bit of punch up front. However, injuries have robbed them of the Ox, Walcott and Diaby/Willshere in midfield. For all there problems they still possess a threat but I expect United to be too strong going forward.