Seeking to bounce back immediately from the defeat to Newcastle United, Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening in the Premier League.
The Red Devils’ three-game winning run in the Premier League was halted by Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday, with Eddie Howe’s side winning 1-0. Erik ten Hag would have been hugely disappointed with his team’s performance in Tyneside as they were carved open multiple times by an injury-ravaged Newcastle team.
Having not started November well, Ten Hag and Co. need to get points on board and it must start against Chelsea, who head to Manchester off the back of a morale-boosting 3-2 home win over Brighton on Sunday.
Manchester United Team News
Mason Mount (calf), Jonny Evans (thigh), Christian Eriksen (knee), Amad Diallo (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Casemiro (hamstring) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) are all still sidelined, while Jadon Sancho is exiled from the first team.
Predicted Man United lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Andre Onana will be aiming to keep his sixth clean sheet of the Premier League season today. He cannot afford to make any mistakes and must produce a top display to keep the Blues’ attackers at bay.
Defence
Man United’s defence has been in shambles for some time now. After watching his team being carved open multiple times by Newcastle on Saturday, Erik ten Hag could be forced to make changes at the back.
Raphael Varane could come back into the fold and partner Harry Maguire in the Man United lineup, who has seemingly turned a corner for United, putting in some brilliant performances over the last few weeks. The England international will be one of the first names on the team sheet, with his compatriot Luke Shaw likely moving to his original left-back position from central defence on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Aaron Wan-Bissaka could get the nod over Diogo Dalot at right-back in the Man United lineup.
Midfield
Kobbie Mainoo is vying for his third successive league start since returning from injury. The youngster has shown flashes of promise in two league appearances and deserves to keep his place in the team. He could form the double pivot with Sofyan Amrabat in the middle of the park in the Man United lineup, and the duo will be tasked with protecting United’s shaky defence and controlling the flow of the game.
There is a chance that Scott McTominay could be handed a start if the manager decides to give Mainoo a breather.
The club’s creator-in-chief, Bruno Fernandes’ presence will be key in breaching the Chelsea defence. He will need to come up with a top performance if the hosts are to take all three points in midweek.
Attack
Ten Hag could make alterations to his attack which hasn’t been clicking for some time now. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial could make way for Antony and Rasmus Hojlund in the Man United lineup.
Antony will take the right-wing spot, while centre-forward Hojlund hopes to break his Premier League duck in midweek.
Alejandro Garnacho is the most in-form player with two goals in his last three matches, and the young Argentinean is expected to retain his place on the left flank.
