Chelsea are in action for the final time at Stamford Bridge this season as they host Manchester United in Friday night Premier League action.
The Blues are still scrapping for Champions League qualification and victory tonight will go some way in ensuring they are back competing among Europe’s best next season.
United meanwhile have their focus firmly on next week’s Europa League final against Tottenham – who are also in action this evening against Aston Villa.
Despite that final looming, Ruben Amorim has named a very strong starting XI that includes Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo.
United’s record in west London is a pretty good one with just one defeat in their last six – that coming last season when they somehow lost 4-3 despite leading 3-2 with 99 minutes on the clock.
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But it could be a tougher evening tonight with some of their big guns left at home.
Metro’s LIVE blog will bring you all the match build-up, team news and confirmed lineups, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage throughout the evening.
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May 16, 2025 7:44 pm
Amorim: Places up for grabs next week
Tony Mogan
More from Amorim ahead of kick-off.
‘We have five days to prepare for the final. We are focused on this game. Sometimes the best way to prepare for a final is to play, is to compete. And we have experienced some problems in that area.
‘I want to see the team compete. I need to understand the team to prepare for the final in a better way, they need time to prove themselves to be ready for the final.’
May 16, 2025 7:33 pm
Ruben Amorim explains picking strong Man Utd team
Tony Mogan
‘We have five days to prepare for the final,’ Amorim has told Sky Sports.
‘We are focused on this game, sometimes the best way to prepare for a final is to compete.
‘I want to see the team compete and I need to see them compete to understand them in a better way.’
May 16, 2025 7:23 pm
United’s hope for Yoro and Dalot
Tony Mogan
Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot are not part of the squad tonight and with the Europa League final five days away, time is running out to get them fit.
But there is reason for hope with Metro’s injury expert giving his verdict on their chances of featuring next week.
May 16, 2025 7:17 pm
Three changes for Chelsea
Tony Mogan
Tyrique George comes into the Blues starting XI to replace the suspended Nicolas Jackson. Moises Caicedo returns to his regular midfield role with Reece James back at right-back.
May 16, 2025 7:14 pm
Five changes for Man Utd
Tony Mogan
Ruben Amorim makes five changes to his starting XI tonight with the United boss clearly leaning towards maintaining some sort of rhythm over resting his key men.
Andre Onana returns in goal with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro both starting in midfield.
There is good news on the bench where Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer are available again.
May 16, 2025 7:06 pm
Ruben Amorim names strong Man Utd side
Tony Mogan
That’s… a VERY strong team Ruben Amorim has named tonight. With Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt unavailable, that’s probably the starting XI they would go with in the Europa League final next week.
May 16, 2025 7:03 pm
Confirmed Chelsea XI to face Man Utd
Tony Mogan
Sanchez, James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, George
Subs: Jorgenson, Bettinelli, Badiashile, Chalobah, Acheampong, Anselmino, Gusto, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall
May 16, 2025 7:01 pm
Confirmed Man Utd XI to face Chelsea
Tony Mogan
Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Amad, Mount, Hojlund
Subs: Bayindir, Amass, Fredricson, Heaven, Collyer, Eriksen, Mainoo, Ugarte, Garnacho
May 16, 2025 6:53 pm
Harry Maguire involved tonight?
Tony Mogan
Harry Maguire is surely a nailed on starter for next week after his Europa League heroics.
But it appears he is with the squad tonight.
Chelsea FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
(Picture; Getty)
May 16, 2025 6:48 pm
Chelsea vs Man Utd kick-off time
Tony Mogan
We will be underway at a slightly rescheduled time of 8:15pm this evening.
Aston Villa and Tottenham meanwhile get underway at 7:30pm with that fixture moved to tonight to ensure Spurs get the same preparation time as United ahead of their trips to Bilbao next week.
May 16, 2025 6:45 pm
Man Utd team news – Ayden Heaven back in squad?
Tony Mogan
United will be without Leny Yoro tonight, left to sweat on his fitness for the Europa League final after coming off against West Ham last week.
Matthijs de Ligt and Diogo Dalot also remain unavailable but Ayden Heaven has travelled with the squad to the capital.
Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass and Chido Obi could be handed starting roles again with Ruben Amorim surely set to rest the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and any other certain starters for next week.
May 16, 2025 6:43 pm
Chelsea team news – Pedro Neto up front?
Tony Mogan
Nicolas Jackson will have no further role to play this season after earning himself a three-match suspension against Newcastle last week.
It leaves the Blues very short up front. Christopher Nkunku remains sidelined while Marc Guiu has not featured since picking up a hamstring injury in February.
Pedro Neto was shifted into a role through the middle during Jackson’s recent injury absence and may be asked to do that job again.
Jadon Sancho meanwhile is ineligible to take on his parent club while Wesley Fofana will have no further role to play this season.
With Sancho ruled out, Tyrique George could also be handed a starting role, whether it’s in his familiar wide role or through the middle as he did in the Europa Conference League wins over Djurgarden.
May 16, 2025 6:40 pm
Possible Man Utd starting XI
Tony Mogan
We’re expecting plenty of changes tonight with that Europa League final in mind.
May 16, 2025 6:32 pm
Possible Chelsea starting XI
Tony Mogan
With Nicolas Jackson sitting out the rest of the season after his daft red card last week, here’s how we have the Blues looking tonight…
May 16, 2025 6:31 pm
Good evening!
Tony Mogan
Stamford Bridge is the venue tonight as Chelsea look to take a commanding step towards Champions League qualification with Manchester United in town.
Ruben Amorim’s side have a Europa League final to gear up for next week and after another dreadful performance in the league last weekend against West Ham United, a bit of momentum ahead of that trip to Bilbao wouldn’t go amiss.
It’s a huge night in the race for European football with Aston Villa, sat level on points with Chelsea in sixth place, hosting Tottenham.
Stick with us, we will have all your build-up and team news on the way.
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