Man United were embarrassingly held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford at the weekend and next up, they take on a Chelsea side who have been equally disjointed this season.
Manchester United are chasing Champions League football next season but things are not looking great for Erik ten Hag’s boys because, after 29 games, they are sixth on the Premier League table with just 48 points against their name.
They have won just 15 out of the 29 league games they have played so far and if they cannot beat Chelsea on Thursday night their dreams of top-tier European football will evaporate once and for all. The one major positive thing for Man United is that Chelsea are in a complete mess themselves and they are sitting 12th on the table.
The draw against Brentford has opened the cracks in the United squad once again so they will have to beat Chelsea and that too convincingly. Anything other than a commanding win and Erik ten Hag’s job will be under major stress.
Manchester United’s team news and injuries:
Man United have been really poor this season but there’s no denying that ETH has been massively unlucky with injuries. Luke Shaw, Martial and Malacia are ruled with injuries and now, Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez have joined this list.
Lindelof picked up a hamstring injury during the Brentford game and he was replaced by Martinez after 69 minutes. Lisandro Martinez has just come back from a long injury lay-off and the club has confirmed that the Argentine has picked up yet another setback in training and will be out for a month.
The official statement read: “Sweden captain Lindelof was withdrawn during the second half of last Saturday’s Premier League game against Brentford with a hamstring problem.
“Unfortunately, Licha has now sustained a calf strain in training and is unavailable for the next few games.”
Raphael Varane was also forced off at the weekend with a knock while Evans has been nursing a small knock but thankfully, the pair has trained on Wednesday night and will be available for the trip to London.
The manager has said in his pre-match press conference: “[There are] no more issues. In the frontline and in midfield, we are okay. We have options there.
“In the backline, we have a lack of options but the good thing is, this afternoon, back in training are Rapha Varane and Jonny Evans, and Harry Maguire was already back in training yesterday.”
Casemiro is back and has trained well so he will play alongside Kobbie Mainno in central midfield. Mason Mount returned from a long injury lay-off at the weekend and the summer signing will now be pushing for a start. Mount will be eager to take the pitch against his former side but we think Ten Hag will start him on the bench.
Both Rashford and Garnacho were poor against the Bees but the Man United manager should also stick with the pair against Chelsea as well.
Man United predicted line up vs Chelsea:
Predicted Starting XI(4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Dalot, Maguire, Varane; Casemiro, Mainoo; Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho; Hojlund.
