Preview: Chelsea vs Manchester United

Written By Jacobs Dunga

Chelsea have been able to silence criticism that most of the academy graduates are left roaming on loan with a huge number of academy graduates making giant strides with the senior side this season. Trevor Chalobah, Reece James and Hudson Odoi all scored for the European champions in midweek against Juventus with James being Chelsea’s top scorer this season with five goals from his wingback position and also has five assists to his name. Currently top of the pile with 29 points after 12 games and with just four goals conceded, three of which have come when playing at home. Chelsea have become the team to beat under Thomas Tuchel since the German took over the reigns in January. They welcome a struggling Manchester United to the Bridge on Sunday evening.

Manchester United got off to a perfect start under temporary handler, Michael Carrick in the Champions League as they inflicted a home defeat on Villarreal in their midweek fixture. Buoyed by the news of incoming interim manager Ralf Rangnick, the Red Devils will want to put up a performance of intent in what is perceived as Carrick’s last game in charge which coincidentally, will be the first and only league match that the former United player would handle. Knowing that the incoming coach would follow the game keenly, United will definitely come fighting against a side that has proven to be stingy defensively since the turn of the year. With Ole’s reign now something of the past, the Old Trafford club will most likely pick inspiration from their spirited performance against Villarreal in midweek come Sunday in West London.

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TEAM NEWS

Ben Chilwell could be in for a long spell on the sidelines with an ACL damage against Juventus while N’Golo Kante limped off with a perceived knee problem.

Pogba is still ruled out with a hamstring problem while Greenwood continues his isolation after testing positive to Covid-19.

Mateo Kovacic is yet to recover from his injury with Romelu Lukaku looking to start from the bench again after appearing amongst the substitutes in midweek.

Eric Bailly will get a chance to impress at centre back with the fumbling Maguire suspended and Varane out injured.

Marcos Alonso and Ruben Loftus Cheek could likely come in for both Chilwell and Kante who picked up injuries in midweek.

Rashford and Fernandes stand a chance to be reinstated in the starting line up after their impactful substitute appearance against Villarreal.

STYLE

Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel are famed for their possession and high pressing style with the team set out in a shape that allows its wingbacks to take huge initiative in their attacking plays. The Blues defence led by the energetic Antonio Rudiger and the vastly experienced Thiago Silva have more clean sheets this term than they have goals against. Reece James has been fundamental to the general team play alongside Ben Chilwell who unfortunately will miss this tie due to a serious injury sustained in the Champions League.

Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were known for their indistinct and sloppy style which made it easy for opponents to punish the Red Devils in most encounters. Michael Carrick however was able to marshal a compact and conscious team in midweek with that mentality expected to be transferred to this weekend’s game against the reigning European champions. There would be a heavy reliance on the front three of Ronaldo, Rashford and Sancho to produce the goods come Sunday evening with Bruno Fernandes expected to as always steer creativity from the middle in a 4-2-1-3 set up.

FORM

Chelsea are in a blistering form with just the draw against Burnley being the only flaw in their last ten games in all competitions. The Blues have won five of their last six league games and have only lost once this season. With just four goals conceded in twelve games, Thomas Tuchel’s side are the best defensive team in the league keeping eight clean sheets and haven’t conceded more than once in any fixture this term and have remained unbroken for 450 minutes of league football.

United lost five of their last seven Premier League fixtures under Solskjaer with the defeat to Watford last weekend being another game where the Red Devils have conceded four or more goals in a single match after the five they conceded at home to Liverpool and four away to Leicester. The Old Trafford club have won just two of their last six games in all competitions. United have kept just two clean sheets in twelve league games.

HEAD TO HEAD

Last season, both legs of this fixture ended in goalless draws

Chelsea haven’t won against United in the league since a 1-0 triumph in November 2017

United are unbeaten in the last seven against their hosts in the Premier League. Chelsea however got the better of their visitors 3-1 in the FA cup last year

Manchester have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four league games against Chelsea

READ ALSO: Edouard Mendy’s Measured Rise To The Top Against All Odds

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Reece James has proven to be the most in-form Chelsea player with five goals and five assists already this season

Cristiano Ronaldo at 36 years has been the go-to man for Manchester United this season with ten goals scored in all competitions

Edouard Mendy has been almost impregnable all season with United having a tough task to do if they would get a result on Sunday

Jadon Sancho impressed in midweek and should be ready to show some of the brilliance that made United pay £73m to Dortmund

VERDICT

United do have the edge in this fixture but this Chelsea side have been smashing every team that comes their way. I predict a comfortable win for the home side.

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