Manchester United are set to take on Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
The Red Devils have endured a dire campaign this season, however, after winning five out of six games in the league, it was thought that they were starting to turn their fortune around.
But, following last weekend’s disappointing defeat against Newcastle United, they have now found themselves in a spot of bother once again. The Old Trafford club are currently seventh in the table with 24 points from 14 games, sitting five points behind the fourth-placed Aston Villa.
So, United will be hoping to win the game tomorrow and close the gap with the Villans. However, defeating Chelsea won’t be easy for Erik ten Hag’s side if they can’t improve their performance level.
The Blues have also had a tough start to this campaign as they are currently 10th in the table with 19 points from 14 games. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will be coming into this game off the back of an important 3-2 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion. So, the West London club will be confident ahead of this fixture.
Previous meetings
This fixture has a history of finishing in a stalemate. United won the last game 4-1 against Chelsea, however, the previous five encounters ended in a draw.
Chelsea haven’t been able to beat the Red Devils in the Premier League since 2017, while they last won at Old Trafford in the Premier League back in 2013. So, the Blues will be hoping to rectify their record versus the record Premier League champions tomorrow by winning this encounter.
How to watch
The game will kick off at 8:15 PM UK time and the match will be televised live on Amazon Prime Video in the UK. Subscribers can follow all the action on their TV or stream on the app via mobile devices.
For those who want to attend the game in person, supporters can buy Man Utd and Chelsea tickets via the official channels or through trusted reseller sites.
Team news
Man Utd have been struggling with several injury problems at the moment as Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro and Mason Mount are all unavailable for selection in this encounter due to their respective injuries.
Jonny Evans also remains sidelined owing to his issue, while Jadon Sancho isn’t in contention to feature having fallen out with Ten Hag.
As for Chelsea, they will also be without several of their key players for this encounter as Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah and Ben Chilwell have been unavailable for selection at the moment due to their injury issues.
Christopher Nkunku is edging closer towards returning after recovering from his knee issue but this game will come too early for him to feature.
Noni Madueke has also put his name on the injury list so he won’t be able to feature in this encounter, while Lesley Ugochukwu is in doubt having sustained a knock.
Connor Gallagher will be sidelined for this game owing to a suspension issue after picking up a red card against Brighton last time out. But, the good news for Chelsea is that Reece James and Marc Cucurella are now available after serving their bans.
Predicted line-up
Ten Hag usually deploys a 4-3-3 formation and it’s likely to be the same in this fixture. Andre Onana is expected to continue in goal for United and in front of the Cameroonian, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Sergio Reguilon could be the back four for United. In that case, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Diogo Dalot will have to settle for a place on the bench tomorrow.
Kobbie Mainoo started the game last time out but considering he has just returned from a long-term injury, he may not be ready enough to commence two games in three days.
So, Sofyan Amrabat could be deployed in the holding midfield position. Scott McTominay is likely to be in the engine room alongside the Moroccan, while Bruno Fernandes should complete the midfield trio. Therefore, Hannibal Mejbri will have to make do with a place on the bench tomorrow.
After a disappointing performance last time out, it has been suggested that Marcus Rashford should be dropped from the starting eleven. So, Ten Hag might opt to start Antony ahead of the Englishman in the right-wing position.
Alejandro Garnacho should continue in the left flank so Rasmus Hojlund should return to the starting eleven having started on the bench last weekend. So, Anthony Martial and Facundo Pellistri will be among the substitutes tomorrow.
Expected Man Utd line-up vs Chelsea
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay, Fernandes; Garnacho, Antony, Hojlund
For Chelsea, Pochettino is expected to go with the 4-2-3-1 formation with Robert Sanchez set to be in goal for the West London club. James could be in the right-back position, while Levi Colwill should keep hold of his place on the opposite side. Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile are likely to be the centre-back pairing for Chelsea in this game.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez should be in the engine room for Pochettino’s side, while Cole Palmar could start in the attacking midfield position.
Raheem Sterling could commence in the right-wing position with Mykhailo Mudryk on the opposite side. Nicolas Jackson is set to play in the centre-forward role for the West London club.
Expected Chelsea line-up vs Man Utd
Sanchez; James, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Fernandez, Caicedo; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Key players
The Red Devils displayed a dire performance last time out and were comprehensively beaten by Newcastle. So, Every United player needs to up their game for this encounter and they will have to showcase that they are ready for this challenge.
They struggled to match the intensity of the Magpies in the last encounter but will have to improve that side of the game against Chelsea if they wish to come away with all three points.
Hojlund hasn’t been able to put his name on the scoresheet yet in the Premier League and he will be hoping that his goal drought in the English top-flight will come to an end tomorrow.
Antony has struggled to showcase his best for United this season and he must now perform at his best in a big game like this. So, the United fans will be hoping that the Brazilian will be able to put his name on the scoresheet versus the Blues.
As for Chelsea, they have also been underperforming this season and having won the game last time out, they will be hoping to keep their momentum in this fixture.
Fernandez, Sterling and Palmer have showcased glimpses of their best for Chelsea this season. So, they will have to be at their best to help their side win the game tomorrow.
Prediction
Both teams have struggled to showcase their best this season, though Chelsea have displayed a better brand of football than Man Utd so far. Therefore, it’s hard to predict who will end up winning this game.
However, considering this fixture has a history of finishing in stalemate, it’s likely that tomorrow’s game could also end in a draw. Man Utd 2-2 Chelsea
