Rooney’s absence could cost United title

With 6 games to go and just one point separating the top two, 4 points separating the top 3, so you cannot call this a title decider but it is close to that. Chelsea took their pain with the exit from Champion’s league, Manchester United was cruising until Bayern pulled a rearguard action. The injury to Rooney is crucial, as he has been the man who has carried United this season; this is disaster for the Reds. Chelsea now has to look the favourites even with Man U at home, but a draw is most likely. Chelsea have rebounded of late with 12 goals to 1 against Pompey and Villa, the 7 versus Villa were particularly deadly. Chelsea has more firepower and has even rested Drogba for 10 days for this game. Vidic vs. Drogba must be the battle of the game, two bulls trying to bully each other, we might see the diving Drogba we’ve come to hate. United failed to keep the ball against Bayern and were thus overran in midfield when Berbatov came on. This is the key to Red Devils doing well, to get Berbatov in the mood to play. He is like Ibrahimovic, he is rarely in the mood but on his day can be just scintillating, but with Rooney out for a couple of weeks, few United fans expect wonders. That is why Spurs sold him, he is more moody than Anelka. To get the best from Berba you have to stroke his ego, make him the center of the team and be very patient. Something Sir Alex Ferguson is not inclined to do, but if you put him in the middle of a front-three with him as the fulcrum he will shine. If Sir Alex played with Nani and Valencia wide and Berba in the middle, then he could win handsomely but if Chelsea stifles the middle then Berbatov could be isolated and sulk. For Chelsea it is important that they accommodate Florent Malouda, who is on crazy form and winning me points in fantasy football. He set up 2 and scored 2 against villa, Anelka didn’t score but led the line, he is like Berba but has been more of a team player this season. He hasn’t truly clicked with Drogba but they are polite on the pitch, Drogba prefers to play alone upfront where he can dominate the focus of the game. Drogba needs a massive game like the one he had at Emirates where he scored two goals. Joe Cole and Lampard are really dynamic when they switch passes and flicks from their West Ham academy days. They must play non-fancy stuff, slow down the game and grind down Man U, then at set pieces they can have a shot but Vidic and Ferdinand are tight in that regard. I see a draw here, it is hard for Chelsea to play their game at Old Trafford, they will need a tight decision to go their way. Only 2 penalties have been given at Old Trafford in more than 10 years. Chelsea should shade it if Drogba is explosive but the best I can see for Man United is a draw. 1-1 my head says, but my heart says 2-1 to the team from the Blue part of London ramaisibo@hotmail.com