Chelsea's credentials face major test at Old Trafford

Chelsea's credentials face a serious examination when they play Manchester United in the League Cup semi-final second leg at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Jose Mourinho's side, 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League, were held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, and United manager Alex Ferguson has never lost a domestic semi-final in 18 years at the club.

Ferguson will be itching to throw a spanner in Chelsea's works by denying them a place in the February 27 final against Liverpool or second division Watford, who meet today with the Premier League side 1-0 up from the first leg.

United are third in the league, 11 points adrift of Mourinho's side, and Ferguson is likely to give his captain Roy Keane a first taste of League Cup action this season at the hub of a near full-strength side.

Chelsea head for Manchester in prime form following a run of seven successive league wins during which they have not conceded a goal.

Their outstanding defence has let in just eight goals in 24 league games, putting them on on course to beat Liverpool's record of 16 conceded in the 1978-79 season.

United, however, are no respectors of records - Ferguson's men revelled in ending Arsenal's 49-match unbeaten Premier League run in October.

Ferguson is well aware that defeat in one competition can have repercussions in another and Chelsea's imperious form could be disrupted by losing to a major rival.

United striker Alan Smith should be available after recovering from an ankle injury and could partner fit-again Louis Saha, who scored his first league goal of the season in Saturday's 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

Mourinho will certainly put out a strong team, with Dutch winger Arjen Robben back after missing the first leg through suspension.

Dismal Liverpool week

Liverpool tackle Watford following a dismal week in which they lost at home to bitter rivals United, were knocked out of the FA Cup by second division Burnley and suffered a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.

They face a three-way fight with Everton and Middlesbrough to finish fourth in the league and earn a place in the Champions League qualifiers.

Manager Rafael Benitez paid the price for fielding a weakened team against Burnley and will not make the same mistake again, particularly as Watford have beaten Premier League Portsmouth and Southampton at Vicarage Road this season, both by three-goal margins.

Looking back at the past two weeks, Benitez told reporters yesterday: "We are disappointed, we have a responsibility and we are here to win, each day, each week and each game.

"We are working and want the best for the club and we will try and do the best we can."

Defending his team selection, Benitez said: "I always try to use my strongest team, but which is my strongest team?

"Is it the team that beat Watford or Tottenham in this cup or is it the team that lost at Burnley? It depends on the result."

Liverpool are record seven-times League Cup winners, but Watford, like United, are not a team who respect reputations. The winners of the League Cup qualify for the UEFA Cup.