Some Tactical Questions For Carlo And Sir

The big game at Stamford Bridge throws up a number of questions about how both teams will line up. So how will Fergie combat Chelsea's midfield? And who will provide Chelse's flair? These and more...


Who will play at centre-half?
Very much one that depends on fitness. Sir Alex Ferguson declared he would have no problem picking Jonny Evans and Wes Brown in the heart of his defence, but we wonder if he revised his opinion after United's shaky defensive display on Tuesday. The way Brown stood by and waved Milos Krasic through for Moscow's second was baffling, so one fears for them if they have to face Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

However, while Rio Ferdinand is reportedly facing six weeks out, Ferguson let slip in the week that Nemanja Vidic should be fit to take his place. So who to play with the Serbian? Although Evans has had some shonky moments, one suspects he is much better alongside someone with authority - someone, as a F365er said earlier, who will tell him what to do. Therefore, he is almost certain to get the nod.

For Chelsea, obviously John Terry will start, and the likelihood is that Ricardo Carvalho will be alongside him. Carvalho has not been an automatic selection under Ancelotti, but one doubts he will be dropped for such a big game, although Alex has filled in on a few occasions this season.


Who will play at right-back?
Both Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti won't take long over their left-backs (Patrice Evra was rested in anticipation in the week and Ashley Cole is back from his knee problem), but the other side requires more thought. Ferguson declared himself delighted with Gary Neville's contribution against CSKA Moscow, but that's something of a moot point as he is suspended following his dismissal in the Carling Cup.

While John O'Shea hasn't really impressed of late, Ferguson has suggested that he will play. However, if we could be so bold, an interesting option might be Rafael, whose energy would allow him to attack and pin back Ashley Cole's attacking runs. The problem is, Rafael has only played once (against Barnsley in the Carling Cup) this season, so his lack of match fitness may well put paid to that one.

It's slightly more straightforward for Chelsea. Jose Bosingwa is injured, and Branislav Ivanovic was left out against Atletico Madrid, but has been surprisingly good when involved this season. Juliano Belletti is an option, but has only made one start in the league and filled in for Ivanovic in the week. Should Ferguson opt for Wayne Rooney on the left (more on that later), a strong right-back will be required.


How will Ferguson combat Chelsea's midfield?
Alex Ferguson does not praise teams with whom he is in direct competition too lightly, so it was slightly surprising for him to say of Chelsea's diamond midfield: "It is hard to break down when you get into their third because they have got bodies compacted into the central area of the pitch."

So how will he both stymie their threat and break them down? One suspects that in an ideal world Ferguson would like to deploy the 4-5-1 that served him well in European away games in the last couple of years. Playing three in the centre of midfield would allow him to combat the sheer physicality of Essien, Ballack and Lampard, and in that scenario, Darren Fletcher and Anderson will almost certainly reprise the roles that controlled the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal last season.

So who to provide some creativity? In that Arsenal game Michael Carrick sat between the industry of Fletcher and Anderson, and although he has failed when trusted on the big occasion in a 4-4-2, the extra protection of a three might allow him to flourish. However, we suspect a more likely option will be Ryan Giggs. He would afford some flexibility if Plan B is required, and a three-man midfield looks to be the formation most suited to Giggs these days, given that he no longer has the pace to play wide and is perhaps too lightweight for the centre of a four.


Who will play up front for United?
If Ferguson sticks with his 4-4-2 formation, providing baby Kai allows Wayne Rooney enough sleep, it will be he and Dimi Berbatov up front, pending the Bulgarian being passed fit. However, as we mentioned before, there is every chance one of those two will be asked to play a lone role, the problem being that neither man is entirely comfortable on his own up front. When the formation succeeded in Europe, Cristiano Ronaldo was the centre-forward, using his pace, movement and physicality to great effect.

If Ferguson does take this option, it will most likely be Berbatov alone up top with Rooney on the left and Luis Antonio Valencia on the right, but does the Bulgarian have the movement or work rate required? If Ji-sung Park was fit then Rooney would be a better option. After all, he performed the role admirably when United were reduced to ten men against Spurs earlier this season. However, Nani has surely not done enough to be trusted in such a big game, so should the 4-5-1 be deployed then Rooney will be needed on the flank.

A possible by-product of two attacking wide men flanking a lone centre-forward is that it will go some way to neutralising Chelsea's attacking full-backs. Ashley Cole provides a constant source of danger from the left, but with Valencia pushing on he might be too distracted by his defensive duties to cross the half-way line.


Who will play in Chelsea's midfield diamond?
Frank Lampard will occupy one spot, while Michael Essien will play at the base of Carlo Ancelotti's lauded diamond, but who will take the other two places? Michael Ballack's experience suggests he will be selected, but Florent Malouda has looked increasingly comfortable in his role tucked in slightly on the left of the four.

However, the big question lies in who will appear at the point of the diamond. It's arguably the most crucial position in Ancelotti's system, and while Deco has generally been disappointing for the last 12 months, he does keep getting a game. Many assumed that Joe Cole would be ideal for that spot once he returned to fitness, but Deco returned for - and scored in - the 4-0 win over Bolton last weekend. Cole played in Europe, but was Ancelotti resting Deco for the big one, or allowing Cole to edge further towards full fitness? Cole's work rate and pace suggest he would be a better option, but Ancelotti does appear to rate Deco slightly more than the rest of us.

There's a cliché in cricket (but one coined by Richie Benaud, so it's okay) that goes something like 'When making a decision, what would the opposition captain least like you to do?' So who would Alex Ferguson least like to face? The way his midfield was overrun by the busy Yossi Benayoun points to Cole (although the presence of Fletcher will make a repeat less likely), and CSKA Moscow's pace and rapid passing caused them terrible problems. A combination of those two elements will leave Ferguson worried, so Cole looks the better option.

Nick Miller