Redknapp: Tactical Test At Old Trafford

Injuries to key men for Manchester United and Chelsea will test both bosses - and Jamie Redknapp is predicting a closely-fought tactical battle at Old Trafford on Sunday...

Chelsea went to Old Trafford last season with a defensive approach when there was no reason to be afraid of that Manchester United team. This season, things are different.

Jose Mourinho is naturally a cautious coach. However, I wonder if he ever thinks what would have happened if he’d played a striker against David Moyes’ side, rather than settle for a 0-0 draw?

Chelsea would probably have won – like most of the big teams did at United last year – and those two points could have made a big difference in the title race.

Under Louis van Gaal, though, it feels like United are getting closer to being a side to be feared again.

There were signs against West Brom, especially when they got back to 1-1, that they were controlling the game and there was some great attacking play. Mistakes at the back are still costing them but they are taking steps forward.

Van Gaal has some selection issues to overcome, though. Wayne Rooney is still suspended so who does he go with in attack? Does he go with two up top? And is Angel di Maria fit? He looked to have a problem with his groin when he came off on Monday night and would be a big loss for United.

Mourinho will also have to think about his options up front.

As much as Diego Costa is a player who will play through the pain barrier and want to get out on the field even if he’s not 100%, it seems he could miss out with illness and injury and that will be a blow for Chelsea.

In these big games you want your big players on the pitch and Costa has shown this season that he can make the difference at key moments.

Van Gaal and his defence will be delighted if he’s not playing and Loic Remy is also struggling so Mourinho might have to go old school and play Didier Drogba, who has had some great moments against United in the past.

Mourinho does have Eden Hazard in his armoury, though, and the Belgian is up there with the best in the world at the moment. Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on a different planet but after that, if you could handpick any player from any club, he’d be one of your first choices.

He’s a sensational player and was stunning in the Champions League in midweek. If he plays on the left he’ll be up against Rafael, who always looks to me like he’s going to get sent off, give away a penalty or make a mistake. That’s going to be a key head-to-head in this game.

It’s going to be an interesting tactical battle and, if United have Di Maria fit, I can see the hosts getting a result.

I’m predicting a draw – and I think that would suit both managers. Mourinho likes to tick these away games off without getting beaten and, without Costa, getting a point from Old Trafford will do for him.

Van Gaal would also see a draw from this fixture as progress for his side. There’s a lot of respect between the two managers - Mourinho was Van Gaal's assistant at Barcelona - and I reckon that by the end of the game they’ll both be happy to share the spoils.

Credit: Skysports.com