FA Cup holders Chelsea hope to pile more misery on Manchester United
Chelsea defender David Luiz has warned Manchester United his team are determined to add to their rivals' misery when they clash in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
Chelsea defender David Luiz has warned Manchester United his team are determined to add to their rivals' misery when they clash in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend.
United are still reeling from their agonising Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Real Madrid on Tuesday night, and the fallout from Alex Ferguson's surprise decision to drop Wayne Rooney for the showdown with the Spanish giants.
Several reports claim Rooney could be sold in the close season as Ferguson no longer trusts the England forward to keep himself in shape, prompting Luiz to admit that he would love to increase United's distress by knocking them out of the cup at Old Trafford tomorrow. However, Ferguson yesterday avowed that Rooney would be staying at the club.
"Sunday's a big game. All the world wants to watch this game and Chelsea go to Manchester to win," Luiz said.
Chelsea have little chance of catching United in the Premier League title race, and were dumped out of this season's Champions League at the group stage, having won the competition last May. Claiming the FA Cup for the fifth time in seven seasons would offer some solace for the holders and their beleaguered interim manager Rafael Benitez.
With Benitez in charge of the Blues only until May, Luiz believes it is imperative the players - dogged by reports of dressing-room unrest - work together to salvage the campaign.
"In Chelsea, we have a strong team, strong changing room," the Brazil star said. "All the players play together. It's difficult sometimes when we've lost games. People speak a lot, but I think, in Chelsea we have a great family, great players and the players to support this pressure."