Man United managed to beat Villarreal in midweek but with as many as six first-team players ruled out, we don’t think they will be able to get past Chelsea.
United face the Blues on enemy territory on Sunday and as per the early team news, a series of important players will be missing from the matchday squad.
The first and obvious absentees are centre-backs Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane. Maguire picked up a red card against Watford last week while Varane is still recovering from his thigh injury.
The absence of these two players means that Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof will play in central defence and this pair might not be able to keep a team like Chelsea at bay.
Michael Carrick also has the option of using a back-three but with Luke Shaw also a doubt, we don’t think the interim coach will deploy this plan.
🏴 Harry Maguire's past 5 Premier League games:
• 13 goals conceded
• 4 yellow cards
• 1 red card
• 1 clean sheet
• 2 errors directly leading to a goal
• 2x lowest-rated player (SofaScore)Silencing the doubters 🤫 pic.twitter.com/qxYrP1QrOr
— Matchday365 (@Matchday365) November 20, 2021
Shaw picked up a head injury last weekend which is why he missed the Villarreal game and we are not yet sure if he will be fit for Sunday.
Paul Pogba remains a long-term absentee with a thigh injury and the Frenchman is only expected to be fit some time in January.
The forward line for Man United is also running thin with Edinson Cavani out with a tendon issue while Mason Greenwood has tested positive for COVID.
Man United are missing key players in every area of the pitch which is an indication enough that Chelsea are set to come out as winners on Sunday. As it is, United are playing some really hapless football and on top of that, the Blues are in the form of their life.
In midweek Chelsea beat a Max Allegri managed Juventus side 4-0 in the Champions League and with so many players missing, Man United cannot even dream of standing up to them.
Man United absentee list vs Chelsea:
Harry Maguire – Suspension – Ruled out.
Raphael Varane – Thigh injury – Ruled out.
Luke Shaw – Head injury – Late fitness test.
Paul Pogba – Thigh injury – Ruled out.
Edinson Cavani – Tendon issue – Ruled out.
Mason Greenwood – COVID – Ruled out.
