ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:CARLO ANCELOTTI believes Wayne Rooney's ankle injury may give Chelsea an advantage for tomorrow's match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The game could be pivotal in the Premier League title race.
Rooney suffered the injury in a 2-1 Champions League defeat against Bayern Munich on Tuesday and United released a statement yesterday that said: “We’re pleased to report that Wayne has not suffered a fracture. The scan revealed only minor ligament damage.”
While Alex Ferguson is expected to reveal today how many games Rooney will miss, Ancelotti said the 34-goal striker’s absence would give Chelsea an edge. He said: “I was sorry for him but I think without Rooney for us it’s better. Everyone knows how important Rooney is for them. He’s fantastic player and had a fantastic season. This injury could be an advantage for us.
“Sometimes a team gives more than 100 per cent when a very important player is out and [so we] have to pay attention to this. Manchester United have the experience and the players to support the loss of Rooney.”
Ancelotti has fond memories of Old Trafford. “We want to go there to win. It’s difficult to win at Old Trafford,” he said.
“Old Trafford is a fantastic stadium for me. I won the Champions League (in) 2003 there and I have good memories, the best memories of my career. I will always love that stadium.”
Having been knocked out of the Champions League by Jose Mourinho’s Internazionale, Chelsea have scored 12 goals in their last two Premier League games, leaving them a point behind the champions and two goals better off on goal difference. Ancelotti is keen to maintain such momentum.
“The destiny after this game (of the title) will be in the hands of the winner,” he said. “Saturday is very important because we play against a fantastic team. I think we’ll have a very good chance.”
Although United will be missing Rooney, Ancelotti was keen to name his own, lengthy casualty list. He said: “I want to remind you that we have (Michael) Essien, Ashley Cole, (Jose) Bosingwa, (Branislav) Ivanovic, (Ricardo) Carvalho all out.
“Essien will come back to train in 15 days. He had some problems at the start but now is good and proceeding well. We hope he will come back to play the last game of the season but we’re not sure. With Ashley we’re sure he can play before the end of the season.”
Ancelotti also said Didier Drogba is being troubled by a hernia. “He’s living with this problem for three or four months. Sometimes he has a problem after the game but during the week he is okay,” the manager said.
“He doesn’t need an operation now. If he has one at the end of the season he will be ready (in) seven days – it would be a small surgery (but) I don’t know if he needs surgery. Now he’s fit and has to play.”
Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini does not intend to contest an FA charge over his pushing incident with David Moyes last week. Manchester City will instead make a formal representation on his behalf before Tuesday’s deadline.
GuardianService
