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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has explained the “fear” visiting teams feel at Old Trafford while revealing an unusual pre-match ritual that helps him scare the socks off opposing defenders.

England striker Rooney has first-hand knowledge of those shivers before kick-off at Old Trafford, having experienced it for Everton. United have dropped just two points in front of their own fans so far this season, taking 43 points from a possible 45.

Rooney said: “We are always expected to win at home but we always believe we can win, no matter who we play. I have been a player in the away dressing room and I know the fear you feel before the game and you are not expected to get anything out of it. So we have that psychological advantage even before the game starts but we know we are good enough to beat anyone here.”

Rooney has an unusual pre-match ritual as he explained to Inside United.

“The day before a game I always ask Albert (the kitman) which strip we will be wearing – shirt, shorts and socks – so I can try to visualise the game,” he said.

The immense home record means Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are on course to achieve a 19th title as they face West Ham on Saturday at Upton Park in pole position. United are five points clear of Arsenal, who have a game in hand, while reigning champions Chelsea and Manchester City complete the top four.

Rooney said: “I grew up an Everton fan so to be part of the team to overtake Liverpool’s record would be brilliant. It would mean so much to us players as well as the fans. It is something I have been thinking about a lot. I know all the Everton fans want us to do it and hopefully we can.

“You look forward to every game at this stage and you’ve got to enjoy it, especially when you are in the running for a few trophies. It is exciting for the fans and it’s exciting for the players knowing that you are just a few weeks away from possibly winning a major trophy or two.”

Defender Jonny Evans will sit out the match as he is suspended after being sent off in the victory against Bolton.

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Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka says he accepts Carlo Ancelotti’s policy of rotating his strikers since the arrival of Fernando Torres, admitting it is that sort of tough decision that means he will not become a manager.

Anelka, 32, said he has the experience to understand the need to take his turn on the bench while also speaking of his enjoyment of retirement from France duties and the extra time with his family that the international windows now afford him.

“I have been playing football for 16 years now,” Anelka told Chelsea’s website. “Sometimes to rest, even to watch your team-mates from the bench, is not too bad. It is part of the game and you try to be fresh when you come on the pitch. This is a big club and we have big players, so it’s like this.

“We do our best on the pitch anyway and we know now we have a different tactic with two up front. We are four – [Didier] Drogba, Torres, [Salomon] Kalou and me, so we can swap and we know that, even if we have a good game, we may not play in the next game. It is frustrating when you are 20 years old; when you are 32, not any more.”

Anelka admitted he sympathised with Ancelotti’s need to keep all his players happy and that the difficult choices confronting a manager means he will consider a different career path after retiring.

“When you’re a manager it is even more difficult than playing because you have to keep everybody happy and make choices. I know I won’t be a manager, I don’t want to do it, never. You have to make everybody else happy also and if you are 20, you don’t understand this rotation but, if you are 32, I won’t say you have nothing to prove but you have the experience to understand.”

Anelka has been resting over the last week while most of Chelsea’s squad have been on international duty. The 32-year-old retired from international football last summer after his role in the mutiny against former France head coach Raymond Domenech saw him receive an 18-match ban. The ban is due to come to an end just before next summer’s Euro 2012 tournament in Poland and the Ukraine but Anelka insists he will not end his exile.

“I don’t miss it, I am glad to be out of it (international football),” Anelka added. “Of course it can help to not play, you play less games so it is perfect to be off and to think about something else for one or two weeks then come back fresh to the club. You get some family life, go to Paris, wherever you want with your family, it is perfect, but I used to be like this when I played for City and in the beginning at Bolton, so I know this situation and I like it. I really don’t think about the national team or playing games.”

Anelka called on his team-mates to prove that they are good enough to win the Champions League by beating Manchester United in their upcoming showdown. Chelsea edged one step closer to May’s Wembley final by beating FC Copenhagen in the last 16. Their reward for victory over the Danish minnows was a tough tie against Premier League title rivals United.

Anelka admits the draw could not have been much harder for Chelsea, but concedes that they must beat the best sides on the continent to become European champions for the first time in their history.

“We know them (United) but I don’t think it’s a good draw because they are a good team and difficult to beat with a lot of quality players,” Anelka said. “But, if you want to win the Champions League you have to beat good teams.”

Chelsea overcame United in a controversial clash at Stamford Bridge last month, and Anelka believes fans can expect a similar type of game in Wednesday’s first match and the return leg six days later.

“These two games with Manchester United will feel like Premier League games, we have already played them in so many games so these will be the same, and we will just have to see what happens,” said the former Manchester City and Arsenal man, who lifted the trophy with Real Madrid 11 years ago.

But first, Chelsea head to Stoke on Saturday hoping to maintain their chances of lifting the title. Yossi Benayoun could play his first game for the Blues in six months after making his comeback from an Achilles injury in Israel’s win over Georgia on Tuesday.

Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com

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Argentina forward Lionel Messi does not have a muscular injury, Barcelona confirmed on Thursday.

Messi, 23, played in a friendly against USA but missed Argentina’s clash with Costa Rica on Tuesday because of a worry over his right groin, although Barcelona are satisfied it is nothing serious and he could yet face Villarreal on Saturday.

”Leo Messi arrived this morning at Barcelona, along with his team-mates (Diego) Milito and (Javier) Mascherano,” read a club statement. ”After completing tests the doctors have ruled out any adductor muscle injury in his right leg.

”The player will continue physio treatment until Saturday and will then be evaluated ahead of the match against Villarreal.”

Fellow forward Bojan Krkic is a doubt for the trip to El Madrigal after straining his ankle while playing for Spain Under-21s on Monday.

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