Chelsea FC v Manchester United: Confirmed Line-ups And Analysis
Ahead of Chelsea FC’s Premier League clash with Manchester United, the starting line-ups have been confirmed by both managers. Let’s have a look then.
Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge this afternoon in a huge Premier League match-up. Guus Hiddink and Louis Van Gaal have confirmed their starting elevens with just under half an hour until kick-off.
Chelsea FC
Thibaut Courtois;
Branislav Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, John Terry (C), Cesar Azpilicueta;
John Obi Mikel, Nemanja Matic;
Willian, Cesc Fabregas, Oscar;
Diego Costa
Subs: Begovic, Baba Rahman, Cahill, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Traore, Hazard
Manchester United
David De Gea;
Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson;
Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick;
Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial;
Wayne Rooney
Subs: Romero, McNair, Varela, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Pereira, Memphis
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The most notable absentee is of course Eden Hazard. The Belgian was left out of the starting line-up for Wednesday’s game against Watford and he continues on the bench today in a move that will infuriate many Blues fans. Chelsea lacked a cutting edge in the final third midweek and Hiddink left it late to bring him on despite the goalless situation. After breaking his scoring duck last weekend, it was hoped that Hazard would finally kick-start his campaign but his benching leaves him little opportunity to do so.
Hiddink has gone for his usual back four, with Kurt Zouma partnering the outgoing John Terry. Branislav Ivanovic is in the right-back slot and Blues fans will hope that he is able to continue on his upwards path of form.
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A favourite player of the boss, John Obi Mikel will play alongside Nemanja Matic in the midfield. The Nigerian is undefeated under Hiddink and has experienced a minor resurgence since the managerial switch at Stamford Bridge. This means that Cesc Fabregas will undertake the more advanced role once again. Most of his best work has been done from deep, which renders the decision to keep him further up the field puzzling.
Willian and Oscar are deployed on the wings with the latter looking to bag a few more goals after a hat-trick last weekend. Diego Costa is the man up front with injuries to Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao leaving him as the only recognised striker in the matchday squad.
Manchester United are hampered by multiple injuries but Van Gaal is able to name an unchanged team from the side that defeated Stoke City 3-0. Youngsters Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Jesse Lingard get starts in the huge clash, with the latter hoping to carry on his impressive recent form. After scoring midweek, the attacker will inevitably be keen to make a name for himself on a massive stage, irrespective of either side’s struggles.
Wayne Rooney will also be dangerous, having found his goalscoring boots in the last few games. The United captain is once again proving critics wrong after going through a rough patch,
With the likes of Ander Herrera and Memphis on the bench, the visitors certainly possess game-changing talent that could be deployed late on.
Next: Chelsea FC Host Manchester United: The Opposition’s Thoughts
What do you think about the teams? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!