Source: Daily_Mail
Big game hunter: Man United boss Ferguson has title rivals in his sights
Big loss: Emmanuel Adebayor could miss several crucial games for Manchester City in January[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson will be aiming to hunt down title rivals Chelsea in January after it emerged Manchester United's main challengers could be without their African stars for as many as 10 matches.[LNB] The Old Trafford manager will be licking his lips at the prospect of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal heading for a club-versus-country row over FIFA rules which could see them lose players to the Africa Cup of Nations from the end of December - much longer than was first thought.[LNB] All three clubs have a packed schedule around Christmas and the New Year as they look to improve their standings in the Barclays Premier League and make progress in the Carling Cup and FA Cup. [LNB]But they have learned that star players such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure at Manchester City, Chelsea duo Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, plus Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue, of Arsenal, could be made to leave England as early as December 26 - even though the tournament does not start until January 10.[LNB]FIFA rules state clearly that countries can ask players to report a full two weeks ahead of a major tournament, meaning that key English-based players could join training camps as early as December 27. [LNB]Ghana have declared their intention to embark on a two-week training camp ahead of the tournament in Angola, putting them on a collision course with Chelsea over holding midfielder Essien. [LNB]Enlarge President of the Ghanaian FA Kwesi Nyantakyi says his team are planning 'one or two friendlies' to warm up for a tournament which has taken on extra significance this year ahead of the first World Cup to be hosted in Africa. [LNB]Algeria coach Rabah Saadane also warned: 'Our preparations will begin as early as possible.' [LNB]Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and City manager Mark Hughes are certain to be infuriated by the FIFA ruling. Both would have hoped that their players would have been able to play for them on Boxing Day and also in the round of league games that takes place on December 28 and 29. [LNB]City and Chelsea - as well as other top clubs such as Arsenal and Tottenham - will try to negotiate with the relevant national associations from countries like Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo but will have their hands pretty much tied if competing nations choose to enforce FIFA rules. [LNB]The only clubs at the top end of the Premier League table not affected by the tournament are Manchester United, currently trailing Premier League leaders Chelsea by five points, and Liverpool. [LNB]And it would appear that champions United stand to benefit most from their rivals' misfortune. [LNB]With four league games due to take place in January before the final in the Angolan capital Luanda on the last day of the month, second-placed United will not lose a single player during a period that also contains the two-legged Carling Cup semi-finals and rounds three and four of the FA Cup. [LNB] Enlarge The African exodus will also suit Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who desperately needs to lead his side from their current seventh position into the fourth Champions League qualifying spot, having been knocked out of the same competition this week. [LNB]Players will not necessarily be in Angola for the whole tournament, of course, and will return to England when their countries are eliminated. [LNB]But leading nations such as Ivory Coast and Togo would expect to reach the last eight at least and those matches will not be played until January 25, with the semi-finals taking place on the 28th and a third-placed game being held on the 30th. [LNB] Ronaldo, Rooney, Beckham, Giggs, United's success has been built on finding brilliant young players... but, after defeat in Europe, the class of 2009 must do betterVidic puts Man United future in doubt by admitting he's not pushing for new dealLife after Vidic: United prepare £11m move for Danish defender KjaerCHELSEA FC
