How Manchester United should line up against Chelsea in the Premier League game
Man United take on Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday and our writers have picked their favorite starting line-ups.
Manchester United need just one point against Chelsea to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
United beat Bournemouth 1-0 away last weekend and Liverpool, who had been gaining momentum in recent weeks, clinched a draw with Aston Villa, meaning a top four finish for the Erik ten Hag’s team is now at your fingertips.
Ten Hag is definitely hoping for a win against Chelsea on Thursday night. The London club have had a disastrous season and are currently 12th in the Premier League despite spending over £600m this season. As for the squad, Marcus Rashford was absent from Bournemouth due to illness but returned to training this week.
Samuel Luckhurst
Wan-Bissaka has been good again this weekend but United need to plan with Wembley in mind and Diogo Dalot is the more flexible right-back. He didn’t start from Brighton.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are expected to continue while Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford are due to step in. Jadon Sancho was given the chance to start at Bournemouth and Anthony Martial was replaced an hour ago. Rashford is also expected to start in center at Wembley.
Stephen Railston
Last weekend I would only make one change to the squad with the return of Rashford at Sancho’s expense. The latter has once again failed to impress this season and needs to do more if he is to keep a starting spot.
Needing just one point for Champions League football, Old Trafford are expected to rock and a midfield three of Casemiro, Eriksen and Fernandes has been instrumental in United’s recovery to the top four.
Chelsea are a complete mess and it would be nice to see them swordfighting. George Smith
United know they only need a point to get the job done, but that won’t automatically lead to Ten Hag taking risks and looking too far ahead. He will expect his team to add another win to their tally and deliver the kind of performance he expects week after week.
The same back four has started each of the last two games and kept clean sheets in each, meaning there should be no reason to fumble on that scoreline. However, should they get the job done against Chelsea, the Fulham game could be the time for some changes.
That said, the midfield should also remain unchanged. Rashford should return in attack in place of Sancho, who continues to falter. Instead Garnacho could have the chance to start him on Sunday.