Premier League match against Chelsea as the striker has not recovered from a knee injury.

But midfielder Paul Scholes is expected to return to the squad after a near four-month absence with a knee injury.Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole returns after missing Thursday's Europa League win over Basel because of suspension.January signing Demba Ba is also available after being cup-tied against the Swiss champions. Old Trafford will be buzzing with gossip about managerial change. It's just one intriguing feature of a beguiling fixture.Will Manchester United really go for Borussia Dortmund's Joachim Klopp when Sir Alex finally hangs up the hairdryer? Will the news of Jose Mourinho's imminent return inspire Chelsea to a first win at Old Trafford in three years?Some of you might feel the Blues will be the hungrier team. After all, United have won the title with ease and are playing out the season whereas Chelsea desperately need the points for Champions League qualification.But let no-one dare forget the animosity between the two managers. No Ferguson v Benitez clash could ever be anything less than fiercely fought. Fergie will want to win this desperately.LAWRO'S PREDICTIONImage of Mark Lawrenson Mark Lawrenson Football analyst"Chelsea did well when they came to Old Trafford in the FA Cup earlier in the season, coming back from 2-0 down and nearly winning it on the day before eventually going through after a replay.I think the Blues have got some of their swagger back and I would not be surprised if they left with another draw on Sunday.."The champions should be the fresher side. It's Chelsea's 65th game of the campaign (13 matches more than United) and their 12th in 37 days. But the visitors are enjoying a better run of form.They can point to their cup wins against the Red Devils this season, although United won at Stamford Bridge in the league. Then again, Chelsea had hurtled back into that game to level from 2-0 down, and looked the more likely winners until they had Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres sent off, before conceding the winner to Chicharito shortly after.Robin van Persie, already United's record league scorer in a debut season, needs one more for 30 goals in all competitions. Frank Lampard needs one to join Bobby Tambling as Chelsea's all-time record scorer. It's all set up for a thriller, with more sub-plots than EastEnders.But then, that's what this fixture is - a real Premier League soap opera with its familiar heroes and villains, and wouldn't it be just like one of the Stretford End's biggest enemies to pop up with a big goal?Torres has been slaughtered by his critics all season. But he's still hit 21 goals in all competitions and can still transform a game in the blink of an eye as he did against Basel on Thursday. United won't want to see him starting or on the bench.I still think United will edge it, and I hope Michael Carrick stars. My vote for him to win Footballer of the Year came to nothing. But, while others have grabbed headlines, he has been the very heartbeat of United's league season, missing just one game, and I wouldn't mind betting that the first player the manager goes to if they win tomorrow will be the unsung midfielder.United to take it easy against Chelsea? Unthinkable. The Blues could yet miss out on the Champions League.