Chelsea FC vs. Manchester United Match-ups To Watch
By Mike Adams
Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports
3. Didier Drogba vs. United’s back line
With both Diego Costa and Loic Remy out, Chelsea are faced with a problem much too similar to last season. The lack of striking options available means that Didier Drogba will have to lead the attack at Old Trafford. In the Champions League 6-0 thumping of Slovenian side NK Maribor midweek, Drogba scored the first goal since his return via penalty (in a fashion very similar to his take in Munich over 880 days ago). But even Didier has admitted to not being fully fit as he continues to deal with a lingering ankle injury and may not be able to complete the full 90 minutes.
Manchester United’s defense has deserved much of the blame for the team’s performance this season. Losing two established defenders this summer in Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand and not adding another, the Devil’s back line now consists of players like Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, and Tyler Blackett.
Already suffering big defeats away to MK Dons and Leicester City, the continual tinkering of the back line paired with still being in Louis van Gaal’s ‘adjustment period’ creates the potential for the Ivorian Drogba to have a big day.