Once a blockbuster Premier League fixture, Manchester United vs Chelsea no longer boasts the significance of yesteryear.
After a mess of a 2022/23 campaign, Chelsea have shown signs of life at the start of their rebuild under Mauricio Pochettino. United, meanwhile, may well be coming towards the end of another cycle with Erik ten Hag at the helm.
The Red Devils were utterly abject at Newcastle to bring to a close one of the most unconvincing winning streaks you’re ever likely to see. However, their recent upsurge means they head into Wednesday’s game five points clear of the Blues, who beat Brighton 3-2 on Sunday.
Here’s 90min’s preview of United’s clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Chelsea H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Ten Hag is unlikely to welcome back any of his current absentees on Wednesday night. Jonny Evans could recover in time, but the Northern Irishman is unlikely to start.
Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, and Tyrell Malacia are all out, while Mason Mount won’t feature against his former club.
Rasmus Hojlund will almost certainly start up top, and we could see Sergio Reguilon earn a left-back berth.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon; Amrabat, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Conor Gallagher’s dismissal on Sunday means he’ll be suspended for the trip to Old Trafford. However, Pochettino will be able to recall Reece James to his starting XI.
Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku are both close to making their Chelsea bows, but the pair are more likely to feature at the weekend against Everton. Malo Gusto is also a doubt.
The visitors will be without Carney Chukwuemeka, Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, and Wesley Fofana because of injury.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Ten Hag will be desperate for a response on Wednesday given how poor his side were at St. James’ Park. However, is he the man to elicit a marked improvement in midweek?
United will surely be better on home soil, but Chelsea, with their emphasis on man-marking, can offer similar problems to Newcastle without the ball. Nevertheless, the Blues have shown in recent weeks that they’re hardly bulletproof at the back, and this fixture might actually entertain for a change.
It’s hard to back either side to snatch three points given their respective frailties, so we’ll back a high-scoring draw.
Prediction: Man Utd 2-2 Chelsea
READ MORE BUILD-UP TO MAN UTD VS CHELSEA AT OLD TRAFFORD
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90Mins
