3 Things That Manchester United Must Do To Beat Chelsea – Be Wary Of Costa

3 Things That Manchester United Must Do To Beat Chelsea

The up and down season for Manchester United continues and this game could well be a defining one as they look to get back into the top four come the end of the season. United travel to Stamford Bridge and hope for a similar performance which saw them sweep aside Stoke in a display which will surely please the Manchester United faithful with their attacking brand of football.

Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial were brilliant in the game as they tore apart Stoke and Louis van Gaal would be hoping for a similar performance against Guus Hiddink’s men but that would not be easy as Chelsea are in a good run of form themselves. Chelsea didn’t get the win they wanted away at Vicarage Road but drawing against Watford isn’t the worst result in the world.

The last time these two teams met, it was United who did all the most of the attacking but couldn’t get past the Chelsea defence and of course the posts did play their part in denying them a goal. We look ahead to an extremely important game and provide the three keys for United if they are to get the three points against the Blues.

1. Do no mess with the starting lineup
   
   

Manchester United probably had their best performance of the season against Stoke City and Louis van Gaal shouldn’t tinker with his team even though he would be away from home. United are in a decent run and with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial doing well against Stoke, they shouldn’t be shuffled about.

Van Gaal might be tempted to play Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield to nullify some of Chelsea’s attacking threat but keeping Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick in midfield should be the way to go with Fellaini playing in midfield and not in attack.

2. Target the Chelsea right-back

Branislav Ivanovic has had a stop-start season but he is someone who should be targeted by the Manchester United forwards. Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard certainly have the pace and trickery to make life hard for the Serbian and this could be the one way to get the three points.

Be it Martial or Lingard, both players can make life difficult for Ivanovic and the Serbian would have to use all his experience to ensure he is not turned inside out during the game.

3. Beware of Diego Costa’s antics

Time and time again, Diego Costa has gotten under the skin of defenders and that is exactly what he did against Arsenal and the Manchester United defence should be wary of all is antics. Chris Smalling and Daley Blind might not be the most physical in the Premier League but they need to be careful as to how they play Costa.

The Spaniard has been one of the bright sparks for Chelsea after Jose Mourinho left and surely has to be contained by the Manchester United defence. Smalling has been one of the best defenders in England and he would have to play to his potential to keep Costa out of the game.