After a redeeming and totally outstanding performance against Tottenham, Manchester United now travel to London to face Chelsea. United are a single point behind fourth and a win over Chelsea would allow them to jump ahead and move within a point of Spurs before their game against Newcastle. It’s a huge game for the race for Top Four and one United cannot afford to lose. Chelsea really underperformed against Brentford as the home side had the better chances but have shown they are very dangerous against Milan and Wolves and punished mistakes against Villa. United will have to be tight at the back and take their chances. Here’s all you need to know:

Chelsea vs Manchester United Match Information:

Teams: Chelsea vs Manchester United
Date: Saturday 22nd October 2022
KO Time: 17:30 GMT
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Managers: Graham Potter and Erik ten Hag
Referee: Stuart Atwell

Team News:

Chelsea

Chelsea will be without the defensive duo of Reece James and Wesley Fofana for the next few weeks, along with N’Golo Kante. Thiago Silva and Hakin Ziyech made the bench against Brentford and Connor Gallagher should be available after withdrawing from the Brentford game due to illness.

Manchester United

Following what can only be described as a childish and embarrassing event before the final whistle against Spurs, Cristiano Ronaldo has been dropped from the squad and trained with the U23’s today. Erik ten Hag has showed he means business and won’t take any disrespect from anyone, no matter their stature. This lifts a big burden of whether Ronaldo starts and allows Ten Hag to focus on the tactics and not the melodrama.

Wan Bissaka, Maguire, Williams, Van de Beek and Martial are all back on grass but not available for selection yet. Axel Tuanzebe seems out for much longer. Eriksen is fit but it remains to be seen if he will replace what was the perfect compliment of Fred, Casemiro and Bruno in midfield against Spurs.

Interesting Facts:

• Manchester United remain unbeaten against Chelsea in the Premier League since 2017. Their last loss in all competitions versus the Blues was the FA Cup Semi-Final 2020 where a trio of David de Gea howlers won the day for Chelsea.
• Despite remaining unbeaten against Chelsea, United’s last win was a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, courtesy of headers from Martial and Maguire.

• Marcus Rashford is a brace away from a century of Manchester United goals. That would put him joint 20th on the all-time Manchester United goalscorers record.

Chelsea vs Manchester United Predicted XI:

I expect the exact same lineup from the Spurs game. Of course, I could see Eriksen come in but I believe, to contain Chelsea, Fred will be pivotal. The form and momentum from the Spurs game should carry the team through. I expect no changes.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Rashford

Predicted Score:

I have more confidence of United for this game. They showed an energy, desire, dynamism and confidence that was missing from the Newcastle game. I can see them causing Chelsea problems and with the defence very comfortable against two of the best forwards in the league, they’ll be bristling with confidence going into this game. The big battle will be Dalot vs Sterling (although to see Wan-Bissaka coming back for this game would be sensational!) I can see United getting more than a point on the road.

United to win 0-1