Build Up
Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday, hoping to continue the momentum from a memorable Champions League triumph in Paris. Meanwhile, Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Sevilla in midweek. United have now won five of their last six games across all competitions, but the main concern will be that all five of those victories have come on the road.
After beating PSG, United have now won 10 consecutive away games in all competitions for the first time ever. However, at Old Trafford it is an entirely different story. United are still searching for their first home point of the campaign having been beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace in their opener. That was before the already-infamous 6-1 humiliation at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur – their joint-worst ever Premier League defeat.
The good news is that Chelsea have given up more away goals than any other club in the Premier League since the start of last season (42). However, their away matches in total have seen more goals than any other team’s, with 87 going in.
Manchester United Team News
Expect David De Gea to be in net on Saturday. Earning the MOTM award on Tuesday has to be a confidence booster for him and will hopefully help him get his confidence back. The defense is a little tricky with Eric Bailly being ruled out for the next month and the uncertainty of Harry Maguire and his hamstring injury. If he can play, he will be in the lineup.
If not, expect the same lineup on Saturday that was out on the pitch against PSG; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Maguire/Shaw, Telles. Anthony Martial serves the second of his three-game ban following his red card against Spurs, which could open the door for deadline-day arrival Edinson Cavani to make his debut after being left at home for the trip to his former club PSG.
If Mason Greenwood can get his head out of you know where he could be starting in place of Cavani, but who knows how much longer his punishment for tardiness will be lasting, having missed the last two matches. McTominay, Fred and Fernandes could be the lineup just like Tuesday and Paul Pogba may again have to settle for a place on the bench. Van de Beek could also start in place of McTominay but a super-sub seems more logical.
Opposition Watch
Chelsea are close to a full-strength squad, with Billy Gilmour the only remaining absentee after Mendy returned ahead of schedule against Sevilla.
Lampard played down concerns over the fitness of Thiago Silva after he fell awkwardly against Sevilla, while fellow summer signing Hakim Ziyech is pushing for his first start.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani
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