O'Shea fears Duff threat

John O’Shea has warned Manchester United they must pay special attention to his Republic of Ireland team-mate Damien Duff if they are to dump Chelsea out of the Carling Cup at Old Trafford tonight.

Duff was a muted presence in the home ranks at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago when United ground out a 0-0 first leg draw that gives them the slightest of edges going in to the semi-final decider.

But O’Shea has been around the former Blackburn man long enough to know he will not remain subdued for long and if the Red Devils drop their guard for even the briefest period, it will be them exiting the competition, not Jose Mourinho’s men.

“Damien is a quality player,” said O’Shea. “You know exactly what you are going to get from him. He keeps going right to the end and won’t give you a moment’s peace.

“At one stage there was talk of him leaving Chelsea but that was never going to be the case. I know how good he is and obviously Jose Mourinho does too because he is in the Chelsea team every week.”

Not that Duff is the sole danger in Chelsea’s ranks.

With Didier Drogba, Joe Cole and one-time United target Arjen Robben all likely to play, the hosts will have to be on top form if they are to preserve Sir Alex Ferguson’s unbeaten record in domestic semi-finals and also inflict a few mental scars which might carry over into the Blues’ Barclays Premiership programme.

“If we knock them out, it may just knock them out of their stride in the league as well,” said O’Shea.

“They deserve a lot of credit for the way they play and the results they have gained this season. They are on top of the league, a good few points ahead and their squad is fantastic.

“Jose Mourinho has come in and brought a lot of entertainment and quality into the Premiership and we will see at the end of the season if they are the best. But our confidence is high as well and we could not ask for any more than having to win a home game to reach another final.”

Aside from long-term casualties Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, only Darren Fletcher misses out for the hosts after picking up an ankle injury against Aston Villa at the weekend.

Alan Smith is in line for a recall, although the former Leeds striker may be asked to operate in a more withdrawn role if Louis Saha retains his place.

No matter what team Ferguson turns out, a close game is anticipated between two sides who have managed just one goal between them in two previous encounters this season.

And the United boss claims the galaxy of stars on show completely overshadows his own personal duel with Mourinho, who returns to Old Trafford for the first time since Porto dumped the Red Devils out of the Champions League last March and just a fortnight after his attack on Ferguson for his attempt to influence referee Neale Barry during the first leg of the semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

However, unlike the simmering resentment which exists with his other capital adversary Arsene Wenger, Ferguson still holds Mourinho in high esteem, claiming he can see some of his old self in the supremely confident Portuguese and even managing to get another dig in at the Gunners as he assessed Chelsea’s visit.

Arsenal, who tackle United in the Premiership at Highbury next week, may have jumped above the Red Devils into second spot with their win over Newcastle on Sunday, but for Ferguson, England’s top two will be on show at Old Trafford tonight.

“It is the best two sides in the country, it is sudden death. The atmosphere should be wonderful and it should be a fantastic game,” he said.

“Jose Mourinho has done really well at Chelsea. But this game is not about Jose Mourinho or Alex Ferguson. This game is about 22 great players.

“Both sides have match-winners and working out which player will win the match is far more interesting than any talk about managers.”