Manchester United have a huge game in the context of the push for a UEFA Champions League place, when tackling sixth-placed Chelsea on Saturday.
The evening encounter at Stamford Bridge presents an opportunity to bounce back from the disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United on Monday.
With a chance to extend the lead over the west Londoners to 10 points passed up, as the top five in the table all qualify for Europe’s premier competition next term, Michael Carrick’s side still sit third and will
look to show our true colours in the capital.
Chelsea are not in good form, with their last Premier League win coming on 4 March, albeit an impressive one, beating fellow contenders Aston Villa 4-1 away from home.
Since then, the Blues have exited the Champions League, 8-2 on aggregate to holders Paris Saint-Germain, and lost three league matches on the spin, without scoring.
Liam Rosenior’s men have progressed to the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals, overcoming Wrexham and Port Vale, with a Wembley date against Leeds on the horizon.
United defeated the Blues 2-1 as the rain lashed down at Old Trafford, back on 20 September.
It was the visitors’ first defeat of the campaign and came after they lost keeper Robert Sanchez to a red card after only five minutes, for hauling Bryan Mbeumo down as he raced through on goal.
Bruno Fernandes poked in his 100th goal for the club to open the scoring and Casemiro nodded in the second, before being sent off as the first half drew to a close.
Trevoh Chalobah pulled one back with a header but the Reds stood firm to take all three points on offer.
TEAM NEWS
Harry Maguire is, unfortunately, still out after an extra one-game suspension was dished out by the Football Association to our influential centre-back, following his red card at Bournemouth. Fellow centre-back Lisandro Martinez also faces a three-match ban, in the wake of his controversial dismissal in the defeat to Leeds. Now with Leny Yoro hurt, there will be a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Ayden Heaven to be an anchor at the back in a massive clash.
Kobbie Mainoo was absent from Monday night’s game due to injury, while Diogo Dalot and Bryan Mbeumo started on the bench, with Noussair Mazraoui and Benjamin Sesko drafted into the XI.
Matthijs de Ligt has been out since November, while Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorguis getting closer to a return.
Chelsea welcome Enzo Fernandez back into the fold after they suspended him for comments made during the international break.
The club’s vice-captain missed the games against Port Vale and Manchester City but looks certain to be feature against the Reds on Saturday.
Reece James is working on a return and we await an update on the England international and the likes of Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, who has returned to training.
Filip Jorgensen, Levi Colwill, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Mykhailo Mudryk are unavailable.
