Rooney & Drogba: Will be looking to fire their side into the semi-finals
Manchester United are still chasing a Treble, but Chelsea will be looking to dash their UEFA Champions League dream on Tuesday.
They are, however, closing in on all three prizes once again, with a return date with Chelsea in midweek presenting them with an opportunity to edge ever close to continental glory.
The Red Devils hold the upper-hand in their last-eight encounter with the Blues, with Wayne Rooney's
solitary strike at Stamford Bridge opening the door to the semi-finals.A one-goal lead is never comfortable, though, and Sir Alex Ferguson
will want his side to take the initiative at Old Trafford and establish some breathing space.United have not been prolific in Europe this season, though, with only 10 goals netted in nine games, the lowest return of the eight sides still in the competition.
They have, however, been difficult to breach, with just two goals conceded and seven clean sheets picked up.
Ferguson's men are also unbeaten in Champions League football against English opposition, with three wins and a draw secured in their four previous meetings with Premier League rivals.
Chelsea know they must buck that trend if they are to prolong their European adventure on Tuesday and remain on course to land the trophy owner Roman Abramovic covets above all others.
The Blues have failed to score just once in their last eight Champions League away games, which bodes well, and have kept a clean sheet in four of those fixtures.
They have, however, failed to score in three of their last four European matches and Carlo Ancelotti
knows he must find a solution to his striking dilemma, with
record-signing Fernando Torres still searching for his first goal for
the club.Chelsea will also be aware that no side has beaten United at Old Trafford in the knockout stages for six years - although a repeat of AC Milan's
1-0 victory back in 2005 would be enough to see the Blues take the tie
to extra-time and possibly penalties, giving them an opportunity to
avenge their final heartache from 2008.Welcome returns
United's injury problems are starting to ease, with John O'Shea and Anderson having made their respective returns to action in a 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.Wes Brown
was an unused substitute in that game and Ferguson has confirmed that he will be in contention again on Tuesday.The only concerns for the Red Devils heading into the game are midfielder Darren Fletcher, who is yet to shake off a virus, and Brazilian full-back Rafael, who injured his knee during the first leg at Stamford Bridge and will undergo a late fitness test.
Edwin van der Sar
is expected to be recalled in goal, following a weekend rest, and Wayne
Rooney will be reinstated up front after sitting out the first game of a
two-match domestic ban against the Cottagers.Blues boost
Chelsea have also been boosted by the return of long-term injury victims ahead of their trip to the North West.Yossi Benayoun
(Achilles) and Alex (knee) were welcomed back into the fold for a narrow 1-0 win over Wigan on Saturday.Both could figure again in midweek, with Alex a likely candidate to fill in for fellow Brazilian David Luiz at centre-half, with the Samba star ineligible for European competition.
With the pair back in contention, Ancelotti has the luxury of a full contingent of players to select from for the first time this season.