Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Friday evening in the penultimate game of their Premier League season.
With the lion’s share of the club’s focus on next week’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, Ruben Amorim may opt to rest some of his key players. Last weekend, their abysmal league form continued with a 0-2 home defeat to West Ham United.
The Red Devils are winless in their last seven Premier League games and have dropped to 16th in the table. Amorim’s men will be hoping to salvage some pride by trying to get a positive result against Chelsea, who are fifth in the table and come into this game on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
Manchester United Team News
Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt were not spotted in training on Wednesday, so the centre-back duo is unlikely to feature against Chelsea. Joshua Zirkzee, Lisandro Martinez and Toby Collyer remain out as well.
Diogo Dalot did individual training in midweek as he hopes to get ready for the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Predicted Man United lineup vs Chelsea (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Altay Bayindir has started the last few Premier League games in goal, with Amorim using Andre Onana exclusively for the Europa League fixtures. The Turkish international has to be at the top of his game to keep a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge.
Defence
Changes are expected to take place in defence, with the manager having lost Yoro’s services due to an ankle injury against West Ham last time out. Young Tyler Fredricson could get an opportunity again to impress in the Man United lineup.
He is expected to be a part of a three-man backline that is likely to feature Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw.
Amorim will hope a patched-up United defence stands tall and stops Chelsea.
Midfield
Christian Eriksen should get a start here. The experienced Dane will be tasked with keeping things simple in the middle of the park. Manuel Ugarte is expected to partner Eriksen in the engine room in the Man United lineup.
Harry Amass is pushing to start again at left wing-back. Patrick Dorgu could get the nod on the opposite flank, with Amad Diallo dropping to the bench. The wing-backs have to be adventurous going forward, but equally resilient when it comes to defending.
Casemiro, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes should be on the bench.
Attack
Kobbie Mainoo should get a chance to operate in an advanced role once again, even though he was largely ineffective against West Ham. He will be joined by fellow academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho as supporting No.10s behind the striker in the Man United lineup.
Rasmus Hojlund is expected to be rested here, which means the chances of Chido Obi leading the Man United attack are high.
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