Chelsea
Petr Cech, goalkeeper, age 27
7/10: Lacks his old solidity, especially at crosses, though still a superb shot stopper and remains a matchwinner on his day.
Branislav Ivanovic, full-back, age 25
6/10: Powerful and uncompromising, the Serb makes himself unpleasant to play against though he can lack delicacy in possession.
John Terry, centre-back, age 28
8/10: Leader of the pack and in consistent form under Ancelotti though Rooney will seek to test his mobility and Berbatov plays well against him.
Ricardo Carvalho, centre-back, age 31
7/10: The one Chelsea player whose confidence does not appear to have been boosted by Ancelotti's arrival, but at his best is a class apart.
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Ashley Cole, full-back, age 28
8/10: Returned from injury in midweek and aside from his defensive duties has a vital attacking role in trying to probe United's weaker right side.
Michael Essien, midfielder, age 26
8/10: The Duracell man who never tires; brings energy and mobility to the holding role and scores spectacular goals.
Michael Ballack, midfielder, age 33
8/10: Has rolled back the years this season and is playing like the midfield Kaiser who almost took Germany to the last World Cup final.
Frank Lampard, midfielder, age 31
8/10: Ancelotti says he is in his prime and he is playing like it. A mature, clever footballer who grows and grows.
Joe Cole, midfielder, age 28 today
7/10: May get the nod over Deco because he has more energy, though he is still playing his way back following injury. Eager to catch Fabio Capello's eye.
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Nicolas Anelka, striker, age 30
8/10: Le Sulk has become Le Smile under Ancelotti and the Frenchman, operating as striker-cum-winger, has never played better.
Didier Drogba, striker, age 31
9/10: It needed something special to eclipse Sergio Aguero in Madrid on Tuesday night. Drogba is something special.
Manchester United
Edwin Van Der Sar, goalkeeper, age 39
8/10: A poor evening in midweek versus CSKA Moscow, but surely an aberration. Ferguson is delighted he is back and rates him as world No 1.
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John O'Shea, full-back, age 28
6/10: No one has made the right-back slot their own at United this season but O'Shea has been Ferguson's recent choice in the big games.
Nemanja Vidic, centre-back, age 28
8/10: Has played Drogba very well in previous encounters but is returning from a calf injury and not been in his best form this season.
Jonny Evans, centre-back, age 22
7/10: Classy young defender who Drogba will seek to test physically. Has crucial role to fulfil with Ferdinand out.
Patrice Evra, full-back, age 28
8/10: As good as Ashley Cole and as crucial to his team in both an attacking and defensive sense as Cole is to Chelsea.
Darren Fletcher, midfielder, age 25
8/10: Has arguably become United's most important player except for Rooney. Legs, drive and discipline vital in midfield.
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Anderson, midfielder, age 21
6/10: At 21 it is time for the Brazilian to start fulfilling that vast potential, but often does well in big games.
Ryan Giggs, midfielder, age 35
8/10: Cleverness could be crucial in helping United to cope with Chelsea's system and has key creative repsonsibilities.
Antonio Valencia, midfielder, age 24
7/10: Strong, direct and dynamic and has found his feet after a slow start to United career. Will be expected to stop Cole getting forward and be an outlet for counter attacks.
Dimitar Berbatov, striker, age 28
7/10: Has played well against Chelsea in the past and scored beautifully versus Blackburn last week but needs to deliver for United in big games.
Wayne Rooney, striker, age 24
8/10: Just become a father and will hope to show Terry who the daddy is in mouthwatering match-up of the two England icons.