Predicted Manchester United Line-up To Face Chelsea In The Premier League
Manchester United’s fascinating Premier League run suffered a massive setback when they were defeated by the newly promoted Huddersfield Town prior to last weekend’s outing against Tottenham. A reaction was needed and the Red Devils came back strongly as they clinched a 1-0 win against last season’s runners-up. They would be determined to keep up the momentum when they travel to Stamford Bridge and lock horns with Chelsea on Sunday evening.
The Blues suffered a shambolic 3-0 defeat against AS Roma in Tuesday night’s Champions League encounter and Antonio Conte’s men will be in deep trouble when Jose Mourinho, the ex-Chelsea gaffer, comes to haunt his former side this weekend.
Team News
Manchester United have a few significant injury absentees. Paul Pogba, Michael Carrick, and Marouane Fellaini, the midfield trio, are unavailable with their respective hamstring, knee and calf injuries. Jesse Lingard suffered a lower back injury and is expected to miss their trip to West London. Both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are back in training but are not yet fully fit to break into the squad after rupturing their anterior cruciate ligament last season.
Formation (3-4-1-2)
Mourinho, the master tactician, will concentrate more on defending and then form counter-attacking moves in search of a favorable outcome away from home in order to keep contesting for the top of the table spot with rivals Manchester City. So far, he has succeeded with his philosophy and clinched a point against Liverpool at Anfield. The Portuguese gaffer started the season with a ‘back four’ but shifted to a three-man back-line against Spurs last Saturday. He is expected to field a 3-4-1-2 formation once more and continue his deep defending strategy much similar to the one he did at Anfield.
Manager: Jose Mourinho
David De Gea (GK)
The Spaniard has been the most influential figure in Manchester United’s prompt upsurge and he is going to be their most crucial resource against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Eric Bailly (RCB)
The Ivorian centre-back has become a key performer in the United back-line since completing a move in the summer and is set to start on the right-hand side of Mourinho’s ‘back three’.
Chris Smalling (CB)
Smalling has re-established his first-team status and a stellar performance against Spurs has made him an invaluable member of United defence once more.
Phil Jones (LCB)
Injuries have hindered his consistency time and again but the English international has been exceptional whenever he has had a run in the side and is set to feature on the left-hand side of United’s 3-man back-line.
Antonio Valencia (RWB)
Valencia is back to his very best under Mourinho and earned a regular status in right full-back role. He was rested against Benfica on Tuesday night in order to keep himself fit and fresh for weekend’s Chelsea clash.
Nemanja Matic (CDM)
The former Chelsea midfield general completed a transfer back in the summer to reunite with his former gaffer. Matic has settled in quickly and is providing reliability in the middle of the park. He will be at the centre of focus against his former employers.
Ander Herrera (CM)
The Spaniard had an impressive 2016-17 season but has slipped down the pecking order behind Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, and Michael Carrick. But their injury concerns have paved the way for Herrera, who has not done anything spectacular this season so far. But he is set to retain his place due to significant injuries to other midfielders.
Ashley Young (LWB)
The Englishman has rediscovered himself since being shifted to a left full-back role and his high work ethics has earned loads of appreciation from the Portuguese gaffer. Young had an impressive outing against Spurs and is expected to feature against the defending Premier League champions.
Juan Mata (CAM)
The former Chelsea midfielder has not been at his best in recent weeks but might be preferred over Henrikh Mkhitaryan against his former side and should play in an advanced central midfield role.
Marcus Rashford (ST)
Mourinho has rotated Rashford and Anthony Martial, two of his promising youngsters, quite successfully so far this campaign but the young Englishman, however, might get the nod. Martial should get to make an appearance from the bench.
Romelu Lukaku (ST)
The Belgian hitman will face his former side in a hostile atmosphere since he rejected the offer to rejoin Chelsea. Lukaku was scoring goals on regular basis but has been struggling in the last few fixtures. He will now have his chance to be back among the goals and silence the home crowd with another match-winning display.
This is how the Red Devils might line up against the Blues:
