A fixture that always stands out in the Premier League will take place on Sunday as Manchester United entertain Chelsea. United head to Stamford Bridge currently second in the league, 13 points behind league leaders Manchester City. Chelsea sits in fifth place, two points behind fourth-place West Ham.
The Red Devils come into this clash off the back of a 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday. We had advance to round 16 of the competition as we had an aggregate 4-0 score. AC Milan will be our next opponents but the focus now return to the league as we battle for a top-four position. This is despite a six-point gap between us and the Blues.
Our league form recently has been patchy as we have only won the last two of six including three draws in the last five. This has seen us drop to 13 points behind our rivals and neighbors City, who looked like they are edging their way to the title this season.
At the beginning of February, United had drawn back-to-back league against Everton and West Bromwich Albion. Last weekend, we secured a 3-1 victory against Newcastle United as United struggled to hit their best form. It was through goals from Daniel James and a Bruno Fernandes penalty that we claimed the win. This was after Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin had canceled out Marcus Rashford’s opener.
A Busy Period Of Games Coming Up
United is entering a busy period of games that will probably determine our top-four credentials. We take on Chelsea on Sunday, followed by games against Crystal Palace and Manchester City. There is AC Milan to face in the round 16 first leg of the Europa League to contend with.
We are still in the FA Cup as Leicester City are our opponents in the quarter-finals. We could have a successful end to the season as we look to pick up some silverware and we have the anticipation of the summer transfer window.
Our form has been excellent away from Old Trafford this season as we have won eight and drawn four of the 12 matches we have been competed in. The Red Devils have collected 28 points in these away games. We are the second-highest goalscorers in the league with 50 goals. However, on the other hand, 32 goals have been conceded, which is not a good record to have despite our position in the league.
Opposition Preview
Chelsea’s form under new manager Thomas Tuchel has been good as they have won six and drawn two of their eight matches. Whilst under predecessor Lampard, it seemed that hopes of being in a top-four position were fading fast. However, that has all changed with the Blues picking up 14 points out of the last 18. This has seen them rise to fifth in the table.
The Blues drew 1-1 against Southampton last weekend in the league. They come into Sunday’s game after an excellent result in the Champions League as they defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 in the last 16 on Tuesday.
Since Tuchel’s arrival, Chelsea has looked more assured defensively but it is at the other end of the pitch that they have lacked as Timo Werner is trying to find his best form for the club. Chelsea is looking to make it four clean sheets in a row at home for the first time in the league for over three years. They are currently undefeated at Stamford Bridge since the start of the year.
Chelsea vs Manchester United Match Details
Teams: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Date: February 28th, 2020 (Sunday)
KO Time: 16:30 GMT
Competition: Premier League
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Referee: Stuart Atwell
Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Thomas Tuchel
Manchester United Team News
United will be without Phil Jones, Juan Mata, and Paul Pogba. Ole has confirmed that the French midfielder is still out for a few more weeks yet. There is hope that Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek will be available for the game though they are likely to be on the bench. Scott McTominay will not feature after he was not able to overcome the injury problem he has had.
There will be changes to the side that played against Real Sociedad with David de Gea, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Marcus Rashford returning to the starting eleven. Mason Greenwood may start given that Daniel James came off with a slight knock on Thursday evening.
Chelsea vs Manchester United Pre-Match Press Conference
During the pre-match press conference, Ole was asked do you see the race for the top four going down to the wire? He said, “Yes, I think it is going to be a long-running [battle]. I don’t think the positions will be decided early. The season is unpredictable, we’ve seen teams go through bad phases and turn it around. Who knows what’s going to happen with injuries and with how players react to the circumstances because it is the shortest long season ever with the amount of games. For me, every game is massive, of course Chelsea, we know how difficult that’s going to be and how important that’s going to be.”
Ole was asked about our opponents and the start that Thomas Tuchel has made at Chelsea. He responded, “you can see in the results, stats and possession they’ve had, the ability to keep teams away from their own goal, he’s done really well. It is never easy coming into a season halfway through and he must be pleased as well, but hopefully we can stop that run. That’s my job now.”
A member of the media asked Ole to compare both the journeys that United and Chelsea have been on at the moment. He said, “I cannot really comment on Chelsea’s journey, that’s not any of business, I think every club will have to run their own race. We are on a good path, we feel we have improved but we are still not where we want to be which is higher up the table, winning trophies. The hunger and mentality within the group is good and the main thing now is that we keep on improving and hopefully we can get ready for Sunday now.”
Chelsea Team News
For our opponents, they will be without defender Thiago Silva as he had been ruled of the game with a thigh injury. Thomas Tuchel is likely to name a back three of Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, and Kurt Zouma.
Olivier Giroud’s excellent goal against Atletico Madrid should see him retain his place in the starting eleven as he links up with both Mason Mount and Timo Werner. Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Marcos Alonso are expected to be in the side. N’Golo Kante, Reece James and Ben Chilwell are likely to be on the bench again.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: LDWDDW
Manchester United form (all competitions): DWDWWD
Chelsea Premier League form: DWWWWD
Chelsea form (all competitions): WWWWDW
Interesting Facts
- In all competitions, Manchester United has won their last three away games against Chelsea, winning in the FA Cup in February 2019, League Cup in October 2019 and Premier League in February 2020. They have never won four in a row away against Chelsea. (source: Opta).
- Manchester United is unbeaten in 19 Premier League away games (W13 D6), a run that began with a 2-0 win at Chelsea in February 2020. This is the Red Devils’ longest unbeaten away run in their top-flight history – their previous longest of 17 between December 1998-September 1999. (source: Opta)
- The Reds Devils’ total of 49 points is 14 more than they had at this stage of last season.
- Marcus Rashford has contributed to seven goals in all competitions against Chelsea, with five goals and two assists.
- Similarly Anthony Martial has six goal contributions in his last seven games against the Blues, with four goals and two assists.
- Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as manager, United have won four times against Chelsea in seven clashes with the Blues. Before that United had only managed four wins in their last TWENTY games against Chelsea.
- Manchester United have kept three clean sheets in a row against Chelsea in the league. Their best defensive record against the Blues in Premier League history. They haven’t kept four league clean sheets in a row since 1925!
Chelsea vs Manchester United Predicted Lineup
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, Matic; Rashford, Fernandes, Greenwood, and Martial.
Prediction
Manchester United’s record against Chelsea has been good recently as we have lost to them in the Premier League since November 2017. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in October saw us shared the points in a goalless draw. This game could be another close encounter as both teams will be coming into it with confidence.
Predicted Score
Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
