Manchester United have previewed the plan against Chelsea: Michael Carrick is set to rule out four of Bournemouth’s options at Stamford Bridge, with the captain reinstated, Bryan Mbeumo back on the right and two senior defenders recalled.
Manchester United head to west London in 16th place for the 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday 31st October. The 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth came on the heels of a 4-1 Champions League loss to Como and a 1-1 draw at Leeds on October 18, when Mbeumo’s opener was canceled out by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which now feels long ago. Our Chelsea vs Manchester United preview takes the bigger picture and is worth reading alongside how Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea line up.
Carrick faced the media on Thursday and armbands were top of the agenda. According to Sky Sports, Harry Maguire wore it against Bournemouth with Bruno Fernandes among the substitutes, but asked if that would change, the United boss told reporters: “No decision can be made in this regard” In his position, he was equally clear: “I don’t need a guarantee from anyone”
The injury news was less cheerful. Benjamin Cesko’s calf problem flared up again and Carrick admitted: “We’re not sure exactly how long, but it will be longer.” Luke Shaw, Manuel Ugarte (knee) and Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) are also ruled out, while Marcus Rashford is a major doubt with a hip problem after missing Como and Bournemouth.
The team of “Manchester United” against “Chelsea” has been predicted
He predicted the team of “Manchester United” against “Chelsea” (4-2-3-1): About Us Company Name: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Mountain; Wed
Senne Lammens: There’s no disputing the Man United goal
Lammens started against Bournemouth and keeps his gloves on. Three goals conceded at home is not a night any keeper enjoys, but the problems in this game were in front of him and he can look forward to a busy afternoon with Cole Palmer bouncing back from Chelsea’s penalty.
Noussair Mazraoui: Right-back for Man United against Chelsea
Leni Yoro was used on the right of the back four against Bournemouth and it didn’t work. Sports Mole expects Mazraoui to return straight away. He is the more natural defender, and he should be, as Morgan Rogers scored at Anfield in midweek and will likely be the man to run into him.
Harry Maguire: a surviving centre-back
Maguire was captain on the day against Bournemouth and gives his goal back on Saturday but he remains in the side. He is the only centre-back expected to retain his place from last weekend. His job is to form a back four with two new faces from last weekend.
Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez has predicted his squad against Chelsea
Ayden Heaven started alongside Maguire last weekend, but Martinez is set to return. The Argentine brings bite and a left foot that helps United play from the back, and Carrick will need both as Chelsea will be desperate to respond after a poor week.
Diogo Dalot: left-back, because there is no one else
Shaw is not expected to return until the Aston Villa game on November 8 at the earliest and Dorgu will be out for several weeks after picking up an injury against Denmark. That leaves Dalot, who was on the left against Bournemouth, to do the job again. This is not his natural side, but there is no other great option.
Andrey Santos: “Manchester United” – “Chelsea” match needs his legs
Santos and Carlos Baleba started together against Bournemouth and Ugarte and Kobbi Mainoo only came out on the grass, they were paired again. Santos has the energy to move up the pitch and United will need that against a Chelsea midfield of Jordan Henderson, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo.
Carlos Baleba: The summer transfer keeps his place
Baleba joined from Brighton in the summer and started alongside Santos at the weekend. His main job on Saturday is simple enough: screen the back four and stop Palmer finding space between the lines.
Bryan Mbeumo: Projected line-up at right back at Man United
Mbeumo led the line against Bournemouth, but he does his best work on the right. He also scored for United at Elland Road earlier this month. Bringing him back is one of the easiest adjustments Carrick could make, and it pits United’s most dangerous striker against a Chelsea left-back who could miss Jorrel Hato.
Bruno Fernandes returns to the “Manchester United” – “Chelsea” match
Fernandes was an unused substitute against Bournemouth after criticizing the tactics following the Como defeat. Carrick stood by the challenge on Thursday, saying: “It was a decision for the game. That’s it.” The pair have since cleared the air and Fernandes is expected to replace Youri Tielemans, who has struggled to impress in the No.10 role.
Mason Mount: one of the few positives
Mount was one of the rare bright spots against Bournemouth, keeping his place on the left of the striker’s back three. With Fernandes back in the middle, Mount could slot in and give United an extra body around the box.
Matheus Cunha: Cesko vs Chelsea vs Man United No.9
Cunha gets the nod in the middle as Cesco faces a long spell and Amad Diallo is the man most at risk of dropping out. It’s a break, not a solution, so United are already considering a January move for the Leeds striker, who scored against them this month.
Man United bench and doubts against Chelsea
Mainoo is one to watch. Carrick said on Thursday: “Good news, Kobbie had some practice yesterday so he’s back in the group and around.” That makes him a bench option rather than a likely starter as he expects Santos and Baleba to continue at the front of the defence.
Rashford needs a fitness assessment on his hip and Carrick did not give a new update on him on Thursday. Tielemans, Amad, Yoro and Heaven are all likely to be benched from last weekend’s starting line-up, which at least gives the manager some options if United chase the game in the second half.
Can four changes save Carrick’s afternoon at Stamford Bridge?
This is the most experienced eleven Carrick can choose from right now. Chelsea are without Maxence Lacroix at the back and have a 21-year-old on their arm, so there is something for United if Fernandes and Mbeumo click on the right. Anxiety is on the other side. With two changes from the 3-0 defeat at home, the back four is exactly what Palmer feeds off.
He predicted the team of “Manchester United” against “Chelsea” (4-2-3-1): About Us Company Name: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Mountain; Wed