When two managers that really don't like each other come face to face in a high-profile clash it always promises a turbo-charged contest.
That is precisely what can be expected when Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United and Chelsea, under the interim leadership of Rafa Benitez, clash in the F.A. Cup quarterfinals Sunday.
United, Ferguson in particular, will be seething after being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid amidst highly controversial circumstances, and the fact that the United manager will be coming across his old nemesis in Benitez will motivate the Scot even further to come away with a convincing win.
Benitez and Ferguson do not share a great relationship ever since the Spaniard said, in 2009 while he was Liverpool manager, it was a "fact" that the United boss influenced referees to a large extent in the English Premier League
Ferguson of course has never forgotten the accusation and has never enjoyed a great rapport with Benitez since then. The former Inter Milan boss, however, finds himself in an extremely sticky situation at the moment at Stamford Bridge, with results not going the club's way and the fans completely against his appointment.
Pressure of course is something that every manager has to live with when you manage a big-time Premier League club; but the demand to get a positive result against United at Old Trafford will be even higher following Chelsea's poor 1-0 loss to Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League a couple of days ago.
"I'm not going to kick anyone when they're lying down," Ferguson said when asked about Benitez's situation at Chelsea.
"It's not my style. My concern is Manchester United. What happens at Chelsea doesn't really affect me.
"Chelsea have a terrific record in the F.A. Cup, probably the best of any team in the last decade.
"It doesn't matter when you play Chelsea or who's in charge, we'll have a hard game."
Chelsea will not just need to be wary about Ferguson and his incredible appetite to get back on course, there will also be a certain forward desperate to prove his worth after being left out of the biggest game of United' season.
Wayne Rooney will have a point or two to make when he takes the field to take on Chelsea. The England international was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup against Real, which led to suggestions his time at Old Trafford could be coming to an end.
Those reports were of course quickly rubbished by Ferguson, but Rooney will still need to show the world he remains the main man at United. Chelsea might be at the receiving end of a Rooney assault, although the Blues do have more than enough firepower to inflict damage on their opponents.
Team news and injuries: United will be without Phil Jones, who is expected to return only next week, while Ryan Giggs will be given a rest after his impressive performance against Real on his 1000th appearance.
Chelsea do not have any injury headaches, with only long-term victim Oriol Romeu ruled out. Demba Ba is likely to get the nod up front ahead of the misfiring Fernando Torres, while John Terry will most likely start on the bench having played on Thursday in the Europa League.
Expected lineups: Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley; Valencia, Rooney, Kagawa; Van Persie.
Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Moses, Mata, Hazard; Ba.
Prediction: 1-1
