Manchester United will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Chelsea this evening. The Red Devils have endured a torrid campaign to date but will have high hopes of beating their London rivals, who remain stuck in mid-table after winning just four games all season.
Express Sport takes a look at how United could line up against the Blues at Old Trafford…
Goalkeeper – Onana
Andre Onana will be hoping to avoid making any more high-profile errors against Chelsea, with Erik ten Hag ready to stand by his goalkeeper in spite of the 27-year-old’s poor form. He has been widely criticised for a number of embarrassing mistakes so far this season, with the latest coming against Galatasaray when he spilled Hakim Ziyech’s free kick into his own net.
It remains to be seen whether Onana will be able to repay his manager’s faith by keeping a clean sheet against the Blues, who have scored a total of eight goals in their last three Premier League matches.
Defence – Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon
There could be a change in United’s back four against Chelsea if Sergio Reguilon is preferred to start over Diogo Dalot in the left-back berth. The other three positions are likely to remain unchanged, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka set to feature on the right next to a central partnership of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
Jonny Evans could be named in the matchday squad as he nears a return to full fitness, but the Northern Irishman is unlikely to be handed a starting spot.
Midfield – Amrabat, Mainoo, Fernandes
A shortage of available options in the middle of the park will likely see Kobbie Mainoo trusted to start against Chelsea after doing his selection chances no harm in the defeat at Newcastle. He could be partnered with Sofyan Amrabat in the engine room if Scott McTominay is rested, with the likes of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro still out injured.
Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, will almost certainly take up his usual creative role for the Red Devils.
Attack – Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund
Ten Hag will face a dilemma over whether or not to start Marcus Rashford against Chelsea given the 26-year-old’s shocking form as of late. He has scored just two Premier League goals so far this season and was merely a passenger against Newcastle but a lack of in-form alternatives could see him keep his place in the side.
The final two positions will be much easier choices for Ten Hag, with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund set to feature alongside Rashford at the top of the pitch.
Possible Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1) – Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Shaw, Reguilon; Amrabat, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
