No Rooney or van Persie for United cup clash

Rio Ferdinand returned but Wayne Rooney was again absent as Manchester United prepared to take on FA Cup holders Chelsea in today’s quarter-final replay at Stamford Bridge.

With a Wembley semi-final against Manchester City on April 14 the prize for the victors, runaway Premier League leaders United have made seven changes from the side which won at Sunderland on Saturday, with Robin van Persie on the bench and Rooney not even in the matchday squad.

Manager Alex Ferguson later said that Rooney is out of the squad due to groin injury picked up on England duty.

Chelsea, seeking a fifth FA Cup in seven seasons, have also made seven changes from the XI which began the loss at Southampton, with John Terry and Frank Lampard dropping to the bench and Demba Ba starting up front.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Hazard, Oscar, Mata, Ba.

Subs: Turnbull, Lampard, Torres, Moses, Terry, Benayoun, Bertrand.

Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Welbeck, Hernandez.

Subs: Lindegaard, Giggs, Young, van Persie, Powell, Kagawa, Vermijl.

Referee: Phil Dowd.