Chelsea will welcome Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, hoping to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League table.
The Blues have started the season in fine form, having won four out of their last five league games and head into the weekend fixture off the back of a comprehensive 4-0 home victory over Juventus in the Champions League.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are in a dismal run of form having just won once in their last seven league games.
Caretaker boss Michael Carrick guided the Red Devils to a crucial 2-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, which should give the players a much-needed lift after the woeful 4-1 away defeat to Watford last weekend.
Chelsea vs Manchester United – Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has a few fitness and injury concerns. Kai Havertz has been struggling with a hamstring problem, while Ben Chilwell suffered a suspected season-ending ACL injury against Juventus. N’Golo Kante is a big doubt having been hauled before half-time due to a twisted knee.
Goals, goals, goals! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zJRqDPD2B7
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 27, 2021
Mateo Kovacic remains out with a hamstring injury but the Pensioners were handed a timely injury boost on Tuesday when Romelu Lukaku made the bench after recovering from an ankle problem.
Chelsea have only conceded a mere four goals in the Premier League this season and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has been a key figure at the back, producing a series of top displays. He will remain in goal on Sunday.
Even though Trevoh Chalobah capped a solid display against Juventus with a goal, he could make way for Andreas Christensen against Manchester United. Christensen has been a consistent performer this season and is likely to partner Antonio Rudiger and Thiago Silva in the three-man backline.
Reece James has cemented his place at right wing-back with a series of impressive performances. He’s set to retain his place in the team with Marcos Alonso very likely to replace the injured Ben Chilwell at left wing-back.
In midfield, Jorginho is an undoubted starter and he’ll look to help Chelsea dominate possession against Man United with his excellent passing skills. With Kante unlikely to recover in time for the game and Kovacic injured, Loftus-Cheek could get the nod to hold the midfield along with Jorginho.
Mount’s ability to drop deep, link play and create openings for his team could see him being preferred ahead of Ziyech and Pulisic. Hudson-Odoi has sparkled in recent weeks after returning to the starting XI, making him a certain starter in this big fixture.
Tuchel could go with the clever and speedy Timo Werner to lead the Blues attack on Sunday, which will see Romelu Lukaku start on the bench for the second game running.
Manchester United
Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire is suspended after receiving a second yellow card during last weekend’s defeat at Watford.
Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba remain out injured, while Luke Shaw did not travel to Villarreal after suffering a head injury at Vicarage Road last weekend. The English left-back is being assessed ahead of the trip to Chelsea.
Edinson Cavani is fighting hard to overcome the tendon issue that has kept him out of action since the 2-2 draw with Atalanta in Italy. Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood tested positive for Covid-19 last week and has subsequently missed the games against Watford and Villarreal. He’s likely to sit out this fixture as well.
David de Gea has been one of the better performers for Manchester United in an otherwise dismal campaign so far. He was fantastic against Villarreal in mid-week, making a couple of top saves. The Spaniard is set for a stiff test between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.
Vintage @AnthonyMartial ☄️
The Frenchman was on target at Stamford Bridge in 2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣8️⃣ 🎯#MUFC | #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/Vfe7rcABnR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 28, 2021
With Maguire suspended and Varane injured, Eric Bailly will partner Victor Lindelof at the heart of the Reds’ defence. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Alex Telles should keep their places at full-back positions.
Michael Carrick could keep the double-pivot of Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek intact, but recall Bruno Fernandes into the starting XI ahead of Donny Van de Beek after the Portuguese international’s impactful display as a substitute against Villarreal.
Jadon Sancho was indisputably Manchester United’s best player on the pitch at Villarreal, as the English winger bagged his first goal for his new club. Anthony Martial failed to make much of an impact from the rare start he received on Tuesday, so the Frenchman could make way for Marcus Rashford.
Leading the line will be none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, who has registered four goals and two assists in the league so far this season.
Chelsea vs Manchester United – Predicted Lineups
Chelsea Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Edouard Mendy; Reece James, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso; Jorginho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek; Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Werner
Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Alex Telles; Fred, Scott McTominay; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho; Cristiano Ronaldo
Chelsea vs Manchester United – Key Players
Chelsea—Reece James
Reece James is Chelsea’s top scorer with five goals. He has also shown the creative side of his game with five assists. The England international is in red-hot form at the moment and will fancy his chances of adding to that tally against Man United. He’ll look to trouble the Reds’ defenders with his overlapping runs, crossing ability and shooting prowess.
Manchester United—Cristiano Ronaldo
It’s all flat at the moment for Man United, which makes it difficult to pick the player who could be decisive against the in-form Blues. But if there’s one player who thrives in big occasions and when his team’s backs are against the walls, it is Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese megastar sniffs goals, and if he gets the right service from midfield, he could help Manchester United leave Stamford Bridge with a positive result.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United
