It is almost nine years since Chelsea last won at Old Trafford. Let that fact sink in for a second. Juan Mata got the goal, and a very young-looking Cesar Azpilicueta was on the winning team. That period is far too long – it needs ending tonight when the Blues play Manchester United. Thomas Tuchel is the man to resolve this bad run of form against a Premier League foe, if any manager is. Incidentally, as well as being particularly pleasing news, the German confirmed that he is committed to the Pensioners for next season during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference.
You can read extensively here about how Pride of London expect CFC to lineup for Thursday’s clash. MUFC are sixth and still have a mathematical chance of finishing in the EPL top four. Chelsea sit third with almost definite Champions League football to be excited about in 2022/23. I do not envisage much chance of Arsenal in fourth or fifth placed Tottenham Hotspur catching the West London club. It is a possibility, but winning the extra game in hand tonight creates a breathable gap.
The United camp has injury worries, presently: Paul Pogba, Fred, Edinson Cavani, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho are all unlikely to feature. Manchester Evening News offer insight into how they believe the Red Devils XI will look. Samuel Luckhurst predicts a flexible seeming 4-3-3 formation for Man Utd; with a debut for emerging fan favourite Hannibal Mejbri.
Luckhurst places David De Gea in goal, with Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane in front of the Spaniard. Diogo Dalot and the promoted Alvaro Fernandez get the nod as fullbacks. Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic along with Scott McTominay should be marshalling the midfield. They will be joined by Hannibal and, possibly, fresh face Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the journalist.