Manchester United are heading into their penultimate Premier League fixture, travelling to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with very little pressure on the game.
Unfortunately, this isn’t for the best reasons, with The Red Devils having very little left to play for this season.
This year’s Premier League campaign has been United’s worst on record with their highest possible finish now being 13th place, having safely avoided the relegation zone.
As such there’s no continued fight to qualify for the varying levels of European football, with their only hopes of this lying in the Europa League final next week.
As such, United are travelling to London merely hoping to avoid any further injuries, with a win or draw being a nice little morale boost ahead of their final with Tottenham on Wednesday.
So, who are we expecting United to field to face Chelsea?
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Ruben Amorim’s decision ahead of Chelsea fixture
Ruben Amorim
Image Credits: Getty Images
Heading into United’s clash with Chelsea, Amorim can either go one of two ways, field his favoured starting eleven in a hope to get a morale boost ahead of facing Tottenham, or play it safe to avoid injury.
The Portuguese manager is already faced with a crisis in defence, having Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven all ruled out through injury.
As such, United can’t afford to loose any more men, with the five unlikely to make an appearance before the end of the season.
Further up the pitch, Joshua Zirkzee also remains in the treatment room, leaving only Rasmus Hojlund and Chido Obi as his options, with Obi unable to compete in the Europa League as the young striker wasn’t registered in United’s tournament squad.
With that in mind, Amorim could start with Obi up top to give Hojlund a break, given that he’ll have to survive the whole match against Tottenham next week.
Behind the young striker, I think it’s likely we’ll see Alejandro Garnacho and Mason Mount to still give some strength in attack, whilst resting Bruno Fernandes.
In the centre of the park we could see a pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen, resting Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro who have formed a string partnership in the Europa League.
Also looking to rest some of his star men and avoid risking injury, I think we’ll see Harry Amass on the left flank with Amad Diallo on the right, with Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui on the bench in case they’re needed.
As for the back three, with Tyler Fredricson already grabbing his debut this season, he could well be called upon again, with Luke Shaw on the left of the trio and Victor Lindelof rounding off the three.
Behind them I think we’re likely Altay Bayindir between the sticks to rest Andre Onana some more ahead of the Europa League final, with a win being vital for the side.
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Manchester United predicted line-up and missing players
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Goalkeeper – Altay Bayindir
Left-wing-back – Harry Amass
Centre-backs – Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelof, Tyler Fredricson
Right-wing-back – Amad Diallo
Central midfield – Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen
Attacking midfield – Alejandro Garnacho, Mason Mount
Striker – Chido Obi
Substitutes – Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Patrick Dorgu, Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes, Rasmus Hojlund
Missing through Injury –Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez
Missing through Suspension – None
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