Wayne Rooney

Chelsea have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Barclays English Premier League this weekend but all eyes will be on the Manchester United’s team sheet and the presence or otherwise the transfer of the Englishman Wayne Rooney.

England forward Rooney told United this week that he will not sign a new contract and wants to leave the club, claiming that they do not match his ambition. The club’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was shocked and disappointed at Rooney’s actions and seemed certain to losing the 24-year-old before his contract ends in the summer of 2012.

Despite Rooney’s harshness, suspicion remains that money is at the heart of his problems with the club. English clubs Manchester City, Chelsea and the Spanish club Real Madrid have immediately shown interest to sign him. Ferguson has vowed to sort out the issue at the earliest, but first he will have to decide if Rooney will be part of his plans for the trip to Stoke City this Sunday.

Rooney was left out of the midweek win over Bursaspor in the UEFA Champions League with an ankle injury. But if he is fit, he will present United and Ferguson with a dilemma. The striker has not been at the top of this form this season but one thing is for sure, Ferguson is determined to focus on the team’s performance on the pitch and not on contractual problems.

“Sunday’s game against Stoke is the most important thing.” the manager said on the Rooney affair. “We will be okay with it. I have every confidence. The structure of the club is good. There is not a thing wrong with Manchester United.”

United stand fourth in the league, 5 points behind leaders Chelsea, and the Blues will all ready to take advantage of any slip-ups from United by beating Wolverhampton at their home ground.

The defending champions will welcome back Drogba after he missed last weekend’s draw with Villa and Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager will be expecting to take maximum points against Wolves.

The biggest match this weekend will be at Eastlands where Manchester City takes on Arsenal. Plenty of goals are expected if both sides play as they have done of late. Arsenal go into the match on the back of a thumping 5-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League and manager Arsene Wenger believes his side can maintain their form.

Tags: Barclays English Premier League, Chelsea, England, Football, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney