United are back in West London on Thursday evening, as we try to put the Brentford debacle behind us and make up ground on fifth-place Spurs, who dropped points on Tuesday against West Ham in a 1-1 draw.
a glimmer of hope?
Make no mistake about it, United are odds-on to miss out on the Champions League.
However, with Spurs dropping points to West Ham on Tuesday, if we beat Chelsea (which is a huge ‘if’), we are effectively in the same position as we were before the weekend: 6 points behind with a far inferior goal difference.
Additionally, Aston Villa dropped points at Manchester City last night after losing 4-1 – they sit 2 above Spurs having played a game more.
United have been given a faint flicker of a lifeline in the race for Champions League football – with Chelsea and Liverpool in the space of four days, it’s going to be a monumental task to make the most of it,
Manchester United Team News and preview
It’s one step forward and two steps back on the injury front.
Lisandro Martinez returned to the side against Brentford, and has managed to get himself injured shortly after the match – he’ll be out for a month. Victor Lindelof looks to be out for roughly the same amount of time.
Mason Mount came off the bench after a lengthy layoff and scored his first United goal – he should be fit to play but Ten Hag may not want to rush his return. When asked about the young Englishman, the manager said:
“He is a fantastic football player but it is important, first, that he keeps fit because he has had three injuries. We have to avoid that, so we have to do this very carefully.
“To keep him fit is our first objective. Secondly, we want to use him so he can add benefit and contribute to the team.”
Raphael Varane made headlines this week for talking about playing in football matches whilst suffering the effects of concussion, but despite that, he is set to be available for Thursday, as are Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire.
Long-term absentees include Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Altay Bayindir and Anthony Martial. Amad Diallo is set to return from a one-match ban.
Interestingly, the manager said he had an idea why United were struggling with muscular injuries this season, but declined to elaborate further.
With another big game just three days after Chelsea, we expect an element of rotation in the squad, with Antony or Mason Mount potentially starting on the wing and Casemiro – who scored a memorable headed equaliser in this fixture last season – coming in for Scott McTominay.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Onana;
Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, Dalot;
Mainoo, Fernandes, Casemiro;
Antony, Hojlund, Rashford.
Opposition team news and Preview
Despite spending close to £1 billion on new players, Chelsea just can’t seem to get going and sit twelfth in the table.
That being said, the Blues have several dangerous players: Palmer, Sterling, Mudryk, Jackson and others, and have had some big results this season, such as an impressive away draw at City and a 4-1 win over Spurs.
Like with United, it’s difficult to know which Chelsea side will show up. Poccetino’s men also drew their last league game at the weekend; stumbling to a 2-2 draw against ten-man Burnley. Your guess is as good as ours!
in terms of team news, Trevor Chalobah and Malo Gusto are set to return, but talented Englishman Ben Chilwell has suffered a setback in an injury recovery. Long-term absentee Christopher Nkunku remains unavailable.
Form Guide
Manchester United league form: DWLLW
Manchester United form (all competitions): DWWLW
Chelsea league form: DWDDW
Chelsea form (all competitions):DWWDW
Prediction
It’s becoming ever-harder to predict United’s results these days, and Chelsea are a similarly inconsistent team. United are somewhat depleted at the back and Chelsea have dangerous, pacey players who can put the ball in the net. However, they do concede goals and needed a penalty to draw with lowly ten-man Burnley at the weekend.
We’re erring on the side of optimism and predicting a United win, with both teams to score.
Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
