Manchester United vs Chelsea | Predicted Line-up for the Red Devils

Manchester United vs Chelsea, Man United

Manchester United host Chelsea later this evening as the Red Devils look to accumulate valuable points in the hopes of qualifying for Europe next season. Having failed to improve their performances and results despite being on the cusp of desirable change – on and off the pitch – United remain on the road to their worst tally season in Premier League history.

Just four points from their last five Premier League outings has seen Ralf Rangnick’s side struggle to produce desirable results. A 1-3 loss against Arsenal has seen the Red Devils’ displays and results continually decline heading into the final stages of the season. Moreover, with another uphill task awaiting them in Chelsea, it remains to be seen if Manchester United succeed in securing a result, having shown negligible improvement on the pitch since the turn of the year.

Manchester United vs Chelsea — Image Obtained via Sky Sports

Adding to the manager’s woes, a slew of injuries amongst first-team players is likely to work in the favour of promising youngsters, keen on securing first-team minutes over the remaining fixtures. In addition to the likes of Luke Shaw, Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, and Fred, club captain Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho emerge as the latest names to have been sidelined owing to injuries, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka remains a doubt for the tie later this evening. With the team’s bench strength weakening akin to their hopes for European football, it remains to be seen if United secure invaluable points over the remainder of the season.

Manchester United Starting Line-Up Against Chelsea

Goalkeeper

David De Gea (GK): United’s most consistent player this season, De Gea, arguably, remains the only unscathed player in the squad this season. Having repeatedly delivered notable performances, the Spaniard is likely to be handed the club’s player of the season at the end of the campaign.

Defenders

Diogo Dalot (RWB): With Wan-Bissaka’s availability uncertain, Dalot is likely to retain his place in the starting line-up in the Manchester United vs Chelsea game. Having been amongst the team’s most improved players this season, the youngster will be keen on delivering notable performances over the remainder of the season.

Victor Lindelof (RCB): With Maguire ruled out for the tie, Lindelof is likely to retain his place in the starting line-up later today. Although enduring a rough spell of form, a decent performance against Arsenal is likely to boost the Swede’s morale heading into the final few fixtures of the Premier League campaign.

Phil Jones (CB): Having risen to the occasions in his handful of opportunities this season, Jones could potentially return to the starting line-up against the Blues. With Rangnick likely to employ a conservative approach to the game, Jones will be hoping to deliver, yet another, notable performance at Old Trafford later this evening.

Raphael Varane (LCB): United’s most consistent centre-back, the Frenchman’s return from injury is likely to boost the team’s prospects of increasing their tally of clean sheets over the remainder of the season. Facing a brisk Chelsea attack, the Frenchman’s impact could play a pivotal role in determining the result later this evening.

Alex Telles (LWB): Although having been a liability at left-back against Arsenal, a lack of options is likely to see the Brazilian retain his place against Chelsea. Likely to be deployed as a wing-back, Telles will be keen on delivering an impactful performance later this evening.

Midfielders

Nemanja Matic (CDM): With a string of games under his belt, Matic is likely to retain his place in starting line-up over the initial run of fixtures. Having been amongst United’s most reliable players in possession, the Serbian will be keen on ending his time at the club on a positive note moving into the final few weeks of the season.

Scott McTominay (RCM): A decent performance against Arsenal saw McTominay emerge amongst a handful of players capable of improving the team’s prospects over the coming weeks. Expected to play a majority of the remaining fixtures, the Scotsman will be keen on contributing to the team’s hopes for Europe over the coming week.

Bruno Fernandes (LCM): United’s most unconvincing performer in recent weeks, Fernandes is likely to retain his spot owing to a lack of options in midfield for Rangnick. Having shown an unnoticeable desire to improve his overall contributions, it remains to be seen if the Portuguese international delivers notable displays over the coming weeks.

Forwards

Anthony Elanga (LF): With Marcus Rashford struggling for game-time, Elanga is likely to retain his place in the starting line-up over the coming weeks. Having occasionally delivered promising performances this season, the youngster will be looking to improve the team’s prospects over the coming weeks.

Cristiano Ronaldo (RF): United’s most crucial player alongside De Gea, Ronaldo will be keen on guiding the team towards securing a European spot over the coming weeks. Having ed his name on the score sheet last weekend, the Portuguese will be keen on improving his goal tally over the coming weeks.