Michael Carrick takes United back to the scene of one of last season’s most important victories, hoping to end a miserable run and give his side a fresh start.
A week is a long time in football. It’s felt considerably longer at Manchester United.
The 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth was as bad as anything we’ve seen this season. United looked short of confidence, the players were booed off and Michael Carrick’s future was the subject of almost every conversation afterwards.
He’s still here, though, and Saturday brings an opportunity to respond. Chelsea away is a difficult fixture at the best of times, but it’s also the kind of game that can change the mood around a club very quickly.
United won at Stamford Bridge in April on the way to a third-place finish. A repeat would be an enormous result for Carrick and the travelling supporters who have had precious little to celebrate in recent weeks.
A Chance to Respond
Carrick could have been forgiven for wondering whether he’d be in the dugout this weekend. The defeat to Bournemouth extended United’s winless run to eight games in all competitions and left the team 16th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation places.
The supporters made their feelings clear at Old Trafford. Carrick’s name was sung as he headed down the tunnel, while the players were booed after he had gone. There’s frustration with the manager’s decisions, but there’s also an understanding that United’s problems run deeper than one person.
Carrick has been given the chance to turn things around. Now the players need to show the same support for him on the pitch.
There’s encouragement in the recent history of this fixture. United completed a league double over Chelsea last season, with Matheus Cunha scoring the only goal at Stamford Bridge in April.
Chelsea had their chances that evening and hit the woodwork three times, so we shouldn’t pretend it was straightforward. United defended their lead and found a way to win, though, and they’d happily take a similarly hard-fought afternoon this time around.
Manchester United Team News
Kobbie Mainoo is back in training after missing the last four matches. Carrick described his return as a positive but said the midfielder has only done a limited amount of work with the group, so a place in the squad may be more realistic than a start.
Bruno Fernandes could return after spending the entire Bournemouth game on the bench. Carrick has confirmed that Fernandes remains captain and described him as fully committed to improving United’s situation.
The decision to leave Bruno out didn’t produce the response Carrick wanted. With United struggling to create chances, bringing him back feels like the obvious decision.
Benjamin Šeško remains unavailable with a shin injury. Carrick confirmed that the striker faces a significant spell on the sidelines, although he couldn’t put an exact timeframe on his return.
Marcus Rashford has missed the last two matches but was pictured working in the gym this week. Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu have also been absent, with no fresh update on either in the first part of Carrick’s press conference. Manuel Ugarte remains a long-term absentee.
Lisandro Martínez returned from the bench against Bournemouth and could start alongside Harry Maguire. Further forward, Cunha will hope to come back into the side after being introduced at half-time last weekend.
Chelsea Team News
Cole Palmer is available again after serving his one-match suspension in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie at Liverpool.
The England international was sent off against Tottenham last weekend, but his return gives Chelsea their most dangerous creative player for the visit of United. Keeping him away from the spaces in front of the defence will be one of Carrick’s biggest concerns.
João Pedro is out with a thigh injury, while Reece James and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez have also been sidelined. Jamie Gittens missed the Liverpool game through injury.
Maxence Lacroix is a doubt after coming off with a hamstring problem at Anfield. Moisés Caicedo and Malo Gusto were also substituted during the game, although Xabi Alonso was hopeful that their issues weren’t as serious.
Former United striker Danny Welbeck started at Liverpool and is an option up front. Morgan Rogers has also been in good form and will need watching wherever Alonso chooses to use him.
Last Five Results
Manchester United
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 25 October | Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth | Premier League |
| 21 October | Como 4-1 Manchester United | Champions League |
| 18 October | Leeds United 1-1 Manchester United | Premier League |
| 13 October | Atlético Madrid 2-0 Manchester United | Champions League |
| 10 October | Manchester United 1-1 Tottenham | Premier League |
United’s last two defeats have been particularly concerning, with seven goals conceded and just one scored. We’ve also yet to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
There’s been time to work on those issues this week. United haven’t played since Sunday, while Chelsea were involved in a demanding cup tie at Anfield on Wednesday.
Chelsea
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 28 October | Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea* | Carabao Cup |
| 24 October | Chelsea 0-2 Tottenham | Premier League |
| 17 October | Everton 0-2 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 10 October | Chelsea 5-1 Bournemouth | Premier League |
| 18 September | Brentford 3-0 Chelsea | Premier League |
*Liverpool won 6-5 on penalties.
Chelsea have been inconsistent under Alonso. They scored seven across their wins over Bournemouth and Everton, then lost at home to Tottenham before their cup exit at Liverpool.
They sit fifth and have plenty of attacking quality, but their 15 goals conceded in eight league games suggest there are opportunities for United if we’re brave enough to take them.
What United Need to Do
The first requirement is a performance with some energy. Bournemouth were allowed to settle at Old Trafford, and United struggled to put them under pressure even before the goals went in.
Chelsea will want possession, but United can’t simply retreat and wait for something to happen. Carrick needs his forwards to press together and his midfield to stay close enough to support them; leaving huge gaps between the lines would make life far too easy for Palmer and Rogers.
Baleba has the physical ability to compete with Chelsea’s midfield, while Fernandes can give United an outlet when possession is won. The captain’s passing could be especially valuable if Amad and Mbeumo can make early runs into the space behind Chelsea’s defence.
Cunha also has a habit of enjoying this fixture; he’s scored five Premier League goals against Chelsea, four of them at Stamford Bridge, including last season’s winner. His movement from the left could cause problems if United can get the ball to him quickly enough.
At the other end, the defending has to improve. United conceded from a set piece against Bournemouth before individual mistakes allowed the game to run away from them. Chelsea have the quality to punish similar lapses.
It won’t be comfortable.
There will be spells when Chelsea have the ball and Stamford Bridge gets behind them. United need to stay compact, compete for the second ball and make sure one difficult moment doesn’t become another collapse.
Predicted XI
Lammens;
Yoro, Maguire, Martínez, Dalot;
Baleba, Tielemans;
Amad, Fernandes, Cunha;
Mbeumo.
Mainoo would be a welcome option if he’s fit enough, but after only a limited return to training, Carrick may prefer to use him from the bench.
Predicted Score
Chelsea are favourites and United’s recent form makes it difficult to argue too strongly. Alonso’s side have shown defensive weaknesses of their own, though, and United have already shown they can win at Stamford Bridge under Carrick.
With Fernandes and Cunha back in the team, there should be enough quality to create chances. The players owe their manager and the travelling support a response, and a big away fixture might be exactly what they need.
Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United
