3 Things Manchester United Must Do To Beat Chelsea – Win The Battle On The Wings

Manchester United and Chelsea come into Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford on the back of two contrasting results in the last couple of days. While the Red Devils had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 with West Brom at the Hawthorns on Monday, the Blues cruised past both Crystal Palace and Maribor in the space of a few days.

Although United have won each of their last two games at Old Trafford, they are up against a Chelsea side, who remain the League’s solitary unbeaten team. The Blues have won all but one of their games on the road and will be looking to get their fourth win on the bounce. The Red Devils on the other hand will be hoping for a draw at least, to ensure that they don’t fall further behind the League leaders.

If Manchester United are to get anything out of the game, let alone beat Chelsea, they need to ensure that they do three things most importantly. So let us take a look at what they are.

1. Be clinical up front

RVP

After transfer deadline day, it looked as though Louis Van Gaal had managed to assemble a dream team of strikers up front. Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao and Robin Van Persie are three players whom you would count on scoring at least 20 goals a season for the club. But since Falcao’s arrival, it hasn’t at all been as good as many thought it would be.

Although Rooney’s suspension has been a factor, their biggest problem has been their inability to take their chances. The Dutchman has looked off colour ever since the start of the season and the Colombian striker has only started to bed into a new side, with a new philosophy than what he is used to. If the home side are to have any chance in the game, their strikers need to take any chances that comes their way. Whether it is a simple tap-in or a spectacular long distance shot, either Falcao or RVP has to come to the party, for they cannot afford to have two misfiring strikers who can’t find the back of a net against a dogged and disciplined defence like Chelsea’s.

2. Win the battle on the wings

Arguably the most interesting battle of the game, will take place on the wings. United’s left flank will see Angel Di Maria take on arguably the League’s best right back in current form in Branislav Ivanovic. Chelsea have their own mercurial winger stationed on the left and Eden Hazard will be up against Rafael, who will look to add the Belgian to his already impressive collection of world-class wingers he has managed to keep quiet, when he has played against them.

Although both sides are stronger on their left flank, it is the other one that might make all the difference. With Ander Herrera’s injury, it is very likely that Van Gaal opts for a winger in place of Herrera, to play on the right side of the diamond. Chelsea as well, will have a change of their own as Cesar Azpilicueta is suspended after his red card against Crystal Palace which will meant that Fillipe Luis will be making his first league start for the Blues. With both sides comprising of promising wingers and attacking full backs, it will be a close fight to see who wins the battle on the wings. And one thing is for sure, the home side’s odds of beating the Blues will increase exponentially if they are able to dominate the wings.

3. Avoid individual mistakes

While it is true that the manager has tried a variety of different formations already this season, one of the main reasons why most of them have failed have been due to individual errors. Even against West Brom, as good as both goals were, they could have easily been avoided had players stuck to their position and maintained a solid defensive shape. But injuries and a lack of experience has meant that one or the other is always committing some mistake.

Luke Shaw’s positional awareness was questioned after the game against the Baggies and both he and the entire defence should be aware of what is around them at all times. If they do that, they will at least cut out one way in which the Blues can score and that is something that they should strive to do if they want to walk away from Old Trafford with something to show for the efforts. For if they make mistakes in defence, then the London side will have a field day and the score line would be a lot more one-sided, akin to their victory 6-0 win over Maribor at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.