Potentially United’s biggest game of 2021 awaits this weekend when they make the trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Notoriously a difficult place to get a result for United over the years, it has been a happy hunting ground for Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He has won both of his games away to Chelsea, two 2-0 wins – one in the FA Cup in 2019 and the other in the Premier League roughly a year after.
The two victories have come against Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard but Solskjær will be hoping to leave Stamford Bridge having beaten three Chelsea managers in less than two years.
Thomas Tuchel is unbeaten so far at Chelsea and goes into the game with almost a full squad to choose from, Thiago Silva is the only absentee for the hosts.
The last two weeks has limited Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s options with Pogba, Cavani, McTominay and Van de Beek all suffering injuries. The Dutchman is expected to be the only returning player.
Elsewhere, Daniel James is a doubt after ‘feeling a tweak’ in the midweek 0-0 draw with Real Sociedad.
Axel Tuanzebe played the second half against Sociedad in midfield and there is a suggestion that the young defender could continue in that role for the game at Chelsea.
United’s lack of midfield options could see the manager choose Tuanzebe for midfield cover against a dominant Chelsea side but it is increasingly likely that Ole reverts to a back-three temporarily.
Chelsea (3-4-2-1): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rüdiger; Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Werner; Giroud
Manchester United (3-5-2): De Gea; Bailly, Maguire, Shaw; Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Matic, Fernandes, Telles; Rashford, Martial
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