Man Utd vs Chelsea preview
It used to be a marquee fixture for the Premier League. Now it’s a footnote in Manchester City’s chase for treble. While United need just one point from the remaining two games to seal UCL qualification and stopping City in the FA Cup final is a higher priority, Chelsea haven’t been relevant at all this season.
Erik ten Hag will want to wrap up the Champions League qualification chase with a win in this fixture. Moreover, with Newcastle dropping points against Leicester, Red Devils could finish third if they win their two games.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are confirmed to finish in the bottom half this season, a first in the Premier League history. Frank Lampard’s caretaker spell has been an unmitigated disaster so the players might want to go with one last big push to end the season on a positive note.
Here’s the Man Utd vs Chelsea prediction, team news, lineups, and more-
Man Utd vs Chelsea lineups
Man Utd predicted lineup
Manchester United’s injury slate is clearing. Furthermore, with the schedule getting lighter due to Europa League elimination, Erik ten Hag hasn’t felt the need to rotate either.
David de Gea will continue in goal as he seeks to convince the fans of his longevity in a Utd shirt in an up-and-down season.
The defence picks itself in Lisandro Martinez’s absence. Victor Lindelof’s renaissance will continue as he partners Raphael Varane in the centre. Luke Shaw is the undisputed starter on the left and Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks to have the first-choice right-back position from Diogo Dalot for now.
No changes are expected in the midfield either. Scott McTominay returned from a long layoff in the game against Bournemouth but the trio of Casemiro-Christian Eriksen-Bruno Fernandes is superior.
Marcus Rashford’s status is one to keep an eye on. He recovered from injury before the Bournemouth game but then reported ill, causing him to miss that fixture. He could make his return as United have desperately missed his finishing ability. Anthony Martial looked like he got a knock against Bournemouth so him going out for Rashford is an easy change to make.
Alejandro Garnacho might get the nod over underperforming Jadon Sancho as he gains match fitness. Antony is the surefire starter on the right.
Predicted Man Utd lineup: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Antony, Garnacho, Rashford
Chelsea predicted lineup
As United’s injury slate clears, Chelsea have had no such luck. They keep missing key players like Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, and Marc Cucurella while N’Golo Kante, Benoit Badiashile, and Reece James are long-term absentees.
Kalidou Koulibaly and Mateo Kovacic might make a return to the first team for this one which would come as a huge relief to Frank Lampard.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal after taking over first-choice duties from Mendy. Wesley Fofana and ageless wonder Thiago Silva will be the centre-backs with Trevoh Chalobah continuing in an unfamiliar fullback role. Cesar Azpilictueta’s big-game nous might be favoured over Lewis Hall’s youthfulness.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez is one of the few players to come out of this season with some credit to their name and he should start. Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher round up the midfield. Mateo Kovacic should come off the bench to build up match fitness.
The attack is the biggest headache for Frank Lampard due to the number of players available. However, their skills overlap a lot. Lampard might look to play on the counter at Old Trafford so Raheem Sterling is a sure starter. Mykhailo Mudryk and Kai Havertz complete the attack.
Predicted Chelsea lineup: Kepa, Chalobah, Silva, Fofana, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez, Gallagher, Mudryk, Sterling, Havertz.
Man Utd vs Chelsea prediction
Recent Man Utd vs Chelsea fixtures have been a snoozefest. A total of six goals have been scored combined, by both teams, in their last five meetings, including two scoreless draws. All five meetings have seen points shared.
This could be more of the same since the two teams can’t buy a goal to save their lives at the moment. Erik ten Hag’s men have been remarkably wasteful in front of goal and Chelsea haven’t even created enough chances to score.
Expect Manchester United to get a goal against a team that is mentally drained, then nervously see out the game as Chelsea huff and puff for an equaliser.
FootTheBall predicts Man Utd 1-0 Chelsea.