Manchester United dey try avoid another loss as under-fire coach Ruben Amorim dey prepare im team for Premier League clash against Chelsea at Old Trafford this Saturday evening.
Chelsea don beat Man United 1-0 for Stamford Bridge few months back courtesy second-half strike from Marc Cucurella.
Match Preview
Man United dey just above rivals Man City for table before 197th Manchester derby last weekend, but dem lose 3-0 at Etihad.
Since Amorim take charge 10 months ago, United get worst record among 17 PL teams, collecting 31 points from 31 matches (W8 D7 L16). Four points from four matches this season na worst PL start since 1992-93.
Amorim get worst win ratio (36.17%) of any Man United manager since World War II, but stubbornly dey stick to im style.
Players dey allegedly lose faith, but 40-year-old coach must dust himself and motivate team, wey beat Burnley 3-2 last home match and dey try collect consecutive league wins under same manager for first time since Dec 2023 under Erik ten Hag.
Man United don only win two of last 11 meetings with Chelsea (D6 L3), but dem never lose last 12 PL home games against Blues (W5 D7) since 1-0 loss May 2013. Chelsea PL away win rate at Old Trafford na 18% (6/33), lowest for any stadium wey dem don visit 10+ times.
Chelsea dey one of only three PL teams (with Liverpool & Crystal Palace) wey never lose after four matches (W2 D2), scoring nine goals same as champions and Arsenal.
Despite win over West Ham (5-1) and Fulham (2-0), dem draw 2-2 with Brentford after stoppage-time equaliser and lose 3-1 to Bayern Munich for Champions League. Harry Kane score twice for Bayern win. Maresca dey hope players learn from defeat.
Chelsea dey try win consecutive league matches over Man United for first time since 2009-2011 under Carlo Ancelotti. Dem don collect seven points from last three league meetings and lose only one of last six away league matches (W3 D2).
Manchester United Premier League Form:
L D W L
Manchester United Form (All Competitions):
L D L W L
Chelsea Premier League Form:
D W W D
Chelsea Form (All Competitions):
D W W D L
Team News
Man United defender Lisandro Martinez still dey recover from long-term knee injury. Diogo Dalot (muscle) also sidelined.
Matheus Cunha (hamstring) and Mason Mount (unspecified) dey available, but fit start unknown. Big decision na whether debut new goalkeeper Senne Lammens or keep Altay Bayindir.
Bryan Mbeumo dey expected link up with Amad Diallo and Benjamin Sesko up front. Casemiro dey battle Manuel Ugarte for starting spot for midfield with captain Bruno Fernandes.
Chelsea Saturday match too soon for Romeo Lavia & Benoit Badiashile. Levi Colwill (knee), Liam Delap (hamstring), Dario Essugo (thigh) & Mykhaylo Mudryk (suspended) still unavailable.
Reece James fit replace Malo Gusto at right-back, Enzo Fernandez drop deeper midfield with Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer in number 10. Pedro Neto likely start right flank; Jamie Gittens or Alejandro Garnacho start left, latter ready for full debut.
Joao Pedro expected continue up front, scoring five PL goals already this season and three in five meetings with Man United.
Manchester United Possible Starting XI:
Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Amad; Sesko
Chelsea Possible Starting XI:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Prediction
We dey predict Manchester United 0-2 Chelsea. Both teams don dey close for years, Chelsea vs Man United na most drawn fixture in PL history (27 draws, 14 for Old Trafford).
Another tight match fit happen, but Chelsea fit outscore Man United wey dey fragile now. Amorim need win badly, but we dey expect Blues to bounce back from midweek loss and collect full points.
