Axe may fall on Mikel's Shield

The Chelsea manager criticised the midfielder in front of his teammates after he was substituted just 29 minutes into their 2-0 victory over Brondby in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

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Mourinho played Mikel in the holding midfield role against the Danish side with a view to him occupying the position against United but his sub-standard performance has left the Nigerian in limbo.

Michael Essien and Claude Makelele have both been struggling with injury during pre-season and Mourinho did not want to risk them, but he may be forced to take a gamble at Wembley.

It was the second time in four days that Mikel's performance had come under scrutiny and his place in the team is in jeopardy after Mourinho's patience finally snapped.

Mourinho was left distinctly unimpressed with his performance in the 2-0 defeat at Rangers last Saturday but he was given another chance in Denmark.

The midfielder did not take it and Mourinho is considering other options as he prepares for tomorrow's pre-season showpiece.

Although Mikel's colourful career at Chelsea is not in any imminent danger, it is not the first time he has crossed swords with the club's management.

The midfielder was fined by Mourinho last season when he overslept and missed training sessions but he is still highly thought of by his team-mates.

Many of them believe he has the talent to be a top-class player but his failure to carry out Mourinho's explicit instructions is having a negative impact with the management.

Assistant manager Steve Clarke admitted after the pre-season friendly in Denmark that Mikel's performance had been unacceptable and he may pay a heavy price tomorrow.

While Mourinho wants to show the rest of the Premiership that Chelsea can out-muscle United, there are still nagging injury doubts over a number of players.

Clarke confirmed yesterday that Frank Lampard has a broken toe but the England midfielder will start the game.

Chelsea skipper John Terry will also return to the team after missing the friendly against Brondby and Arjen Robben, who is making rapid progress following a knee injury, is hopeful of a place among the substitutes.

The Premier League campaign remains Chelsea's priority and while Mourinho will be hoping to avoid adding to an already crowded treatment room, he is determined to put down a marker against United.

Clarke, who confirmed yesterday that he has signed a new three-year contract, said: 'The season starts with the Premiership but as we are playing one of our main rivals, it gives the game some extra meaning.

'United are the team defending the title but we will certainly enjoy the chase. We have strengthened our squad, United have strengthened, Liverpool have strengthened and so have Tottenham. Arsenal will be up there as well so we know it will be a competitive season.

'We aim to win every trophy that we compete for but United, Liverpool and Arsenal will be saying the same.

'A lot of clubs would be happy to have won two trophies last season but we were disappointed.'

United will come up against a new-look Chelsea team tomorrow with Mourinho expected to play a 4-3-3 formation.

Steven Sidwell, who has been one of Chelsea's best players during preseason, is set to start alongside Lampard in the centre of midfield.

Chelsea have made a number of changes to the squad during the summer but there are unlikely to be any high-profile departures before the transfer deadline.

Despite Real Madrid's attempts to lure Robben, Chelsea are confident they will hold on to the winger.

Clarke added: 'I don't want to see anyone leave and I don't think we will see any major changes before the start of the season.'

Mourinho, who claims he will be more mellow this season, has been keeping a low profile during the build-up but Clarke is still predicting fireworks.

He added: 'He's a great friend of mine and he has never been anything but good to me but I don't think we will ever change his character. I'm just a dour Scotsman and you won't change that.'