Erik ten Hag is predicted to make two unpopular decisions as Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Manchester United‘s season has seen them lose ten games in 21 games, the quickest they have reached the said number of defeats since 2014 after Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

This has added pressure on Erik ten Hag, with the club’s hierarchy set to go through huge changes with the pending addition of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

One change that is not expected to be made, however, is the goalkeeper, with André Onana expected to stay in the net as United face Chelsea in the Premier League.

United have been leaking goals left, right, and centre this campaign, and although Luke Shaw was trialled as a centre-back against Newcastle, it is predicted that he will return to his role at left-back, with Victor Lindelöf estimated to fill in at left centre-back alongside Harry Maguire. Diogo Dalot would then take up the right-back spot, demoting Aaron Wan-Bissaka to the bench.

In midfield is where one of the unpopular decisions is expected. Kobbie Mainoo has performed well so far and has made himself a fan favourite, but is likely to be dropped in favour of Sofyan Amrabat, with Ten Hag keen to manage the youngster’s minutes and load – much to the likely anger of United fans.

Amrabat will be joined by Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay due to the current injuries in midfield, with Casemiro, Mason Mount, and Christian Eriksen all absent.

The other unpopular change that is likely to occur is that, despite calls, Marcus Rashford will not be dropped. Rashford has a good track record against Chelsea and is in need of a goal, and with Ten Hag backing the player to return to form, the Dutchman may think this is the opportune game for such a moment to happen.

With Anthony Martial starting against Newcastle and failing to have any sort of impact, Rasmus Højlund may come back into the XI, and with Alejandro Garnacho continuing his food form, he may be expected to start on the left wing – putting Rashford on the right-hand side.

It should be noted, though, that Garnacho and Rashford often swap wings as the game flows, meaning both players will have chances to impress in their favoured left-wing position.

Manchester United’s predicted XI

Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelöf, Shaw, Amrabat, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Højlund, Garnahco.