Manchester United and Chelsea will lock horns tonight, October 24, at Old Trafford by 17:30 for a Premier League match that will determine so many things moving forward.
The two clubs have been giving their fans a lot of mixed feelings so far in the season due to their inconsistency which has placed Chelsea on the 9th spot and United on the 15th spot on the league table.
For instance, Manchester United have been recording a series of bad stats so far in the season especially when it comes to playing at Old Trafford which used to be a fortress for the Red Devils. Fans of the club started experiencing very harsh realities at their home front this season on September 19 when Crystal Palace beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his boys 1-3.
When the fans thought they have seen the worst that could happen at Old Trafford this season, Tottenham Hotspur came visiting and Jose Mourinho and his boys humiliated Manchester United 1-6 on October 4. This means that the Red Devils are yet to win any Premier League match at Old Trafford so far this season.
Away from Manchester United‘s misfortunes at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his boys have been enjoying fantastic records outside Old Trafford. For instance, they have played 6 away games in all competitions this season and they came out victorious. They won their last Premier League game 1-4 away to Newcastle United on October 17.
Just on October 20, Manchester United traveled to Paris, France, to play against Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Against all odds, the Premier League club returned to England with a hard-fought 1-2 victory.
On the other hand, Manchester United’s opponent for today’s Premier League match, Chelsea, have been having it bad in terms of their defensive records especially this season. Coach Frank Lampard and his boys started having this problem last season but it was expected that they would start having it better since they have spent about £250 million to recruit new players. But that has not been the case.
So far, Chelsea has played 5 Premier League games in which they have lost 1, drew two, and won two. In the two games they drew, their opponent had to come from behind to equalize. This was more prominent in Chelsea’s last Premier League match against Southampton where the Stamford Bridge’s based club had to lose the lead twice in the match that ended 3-3 at Stamford Bridge.
However, with the return of their new goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, more solidity is expected from Chelsea’s back. The sign of that was seen when Chelsea hosted Europa League reigning champions, Sevilla in their first UEFA Champions League match of the season. The match ended 0-0, thanks to an outstanding performance of Mendy.
Manchester United and Chelsea team news:
Manchester United: Solskjaer will be without his backup center-defender Eric Bailly who is out with an injury. However, it is expected that United’s captain Harry Maguire will be available for the match after missing out on United’s victory over PSG.
It is also expected that Edinson Cavani could make his debut against Chelsea tonight since Solskjaer’s top choice striker Anthony Martial is still serving his three-match ban.
Manchester United Premier League form: LWLW
Manchester United form (all competitions): WWWLWW
Manchester United probable starting eleven:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani
Chelsea: Frank Lampard will not have an option of using his out of favor goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of Mendy as the Spain international is battling for match fitness. Billy Gilmour will not also be available for the match.
Besides that, there are no serious injury worries for Chelsea going into tonight’s game. It is now left for Frank Lampard to perform his magic when it comes to his team selection for United’s bout.
Manchester, we're on our way! 📍🗺#MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/rwmRgSWl2P
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 23, 2020
Chelsea Premier League form: WLDWD
Chelsea form (all competitions): WDLWDD
Chelsea probable starting eleven:
Mendy; James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell; Jorginho, Kante; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic; Werner
