Both Chelsea and Manchester United have been breaking club records recently. Sadly, they’re the wrong kind of records. For Chelsea, the 6-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City over the weekend marked the first time in 22 years that they had been beaten by more than 4 goals. Then there was the news that a squad comprising several first team members could only manage a 3-3 draw against Chelsea’s own youth team in practice. These are the sorts of results that give people amnesia. Suddenly, whole sections of the press are unable to remember Chelsea’s amazing start to the season. People no longer remember that Chelsea remain in three competitions and sit just one point behind fourth place United. They would rather speculate about Sarri’s future at the club. Such is football.
The record broken by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s was marginally less devastating, but the defeat to PSG was the first time United had lost at home by more than one goal in a European competition. Oh dear. But Solskjaer – given his recent reversal of United’s form and the fact that he’s a caretaker manager in the first place – will probably not have to answer questions about his ‘football philosophy’ and will instead focus on the bigger issues. Namely, the loss of both Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial in the first half, Paul Pogba’s unnecessary red card and Alexis Sanchez’s inability to perform.
Chelsea have the opportunity to recover their poise on Thursday with a visit to Malmo, while United can take a few days to rest and plan how to fill the holes in their attack.
Chelsea vs Manchester United Predictions
Chelsea have the edge on Monday almost purely by the fact that they have a fully functioning attack. Lingard and Martial both have muscle-related injuries, so it will be a few days before the extent of their injuries is known. Chelsea’s issues are far less visible; as Jose Mourinho saw shortly before his departure from Old Trafford, if a team has decided they don’t want to play for their manager, there’s really nothing that can be done about it. Chelsea seem to be facing the same situation here and are rumoured to be trying to secure Zinedine Zidane for the manager’s role just to keep Eden Hazard in the team. Plus, they are up against Solskjaer’s unbeaten run of league games. Has the Champions League defeat ended the streak?
Chelsea vs. Manchester United Betting Tips
Head to Head
- United have the edge over Chelsea in their 181 meetings over the years, winning 77 games.
- Chelsea have won 54 games; the teams have drawn 54 times.
- The last six games have been pretty even: Chelsea have won three, United two with one draw.
Chelsea Team News
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is being rested for Malmo and the back injuries that have dogged him all season may have reappeared. Marcos Alonso is also out of the side, but this is apparently to rest him rather than anything else. It remains to be seen whether Pedro’s public comments about Sarri’s managerial style affect his place in the team or not.
Manchester United Team News
The status of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial remains unknown, and whether Alexis Sanchez’s injury concerns are real or not, the chances are he won’t be playing (maybe ever again) after colliding with the linesman shortly before his disastrous appearance in Paris.
