Chelsea vs Manchester United predicted lineups
Chelsea vs Manchester United predicted lineups
Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and a predicted lineup for this Saturday’s early kick-off of Chelsea vs Manchester United.
Chelsea are coming off back-to-back losses at home to Spurs in the league before bowing out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Liverpool on penalties.
Manchester United are fresh off a 3-0 thumping at the hands of Bournemouth last weekend, and to everyone’s surprise, Michael Carrick will reprise his role as manager despite a dismal start to the season.
Chelsea vs Manchester United has historically been a huge fixture in the Premier League, but with both teams far from their best, this one might not catch fire like previous affairs.
Chelsea vs Manchester United – English Heavyweights Clash on Saturday Afternoon
Chelsea Confirmed Lineup vs Real Sociedad
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Kick-off: 12:30
Last meeting: Chelsea 0 – 1 Manchester United (18.04.26)
Chelsea vs Manchester United Injuries & Suspensions
Chelsea Team News
One player that will definitely not be available for Xabi Alonso is his star striker, Joao Pedro. Having notched five goals this season, the Brazilian has been one of The Blues’ most in-form players, however, a thigh injury has kept him out of action in recent weeks and continues to plague his season. Alonso confirmed mid-week that he will not be available for a number of weeks.
The Blues boss confirmed that Jorrel Hato will miss the United game, but Pep Chavarria will return.
Summer signing Maxence Lacroix was substituted just before half time due to injury and will miss the visit from The Red Devils, “Max picked up an injury and we expect he is not going to be ready before the international break. He will be a few weeks out.”
Cole Palmer served his one-match ban after his red card against Spurs when Chelsea played Liverpool in the week and therefore will be available to play against United.
Reece James and Emi Martinez will also miss the Chelsea vs Manchester United fixture.
Manchester United Team News
Michael Carrick was under pressure during his Chelsea vs Manchester United press conference with the eyes of the footballing world pinned on him and wondering how he’s still in a job.
The former England midfielder was asked about the rift between him and the United captain, Bruno Fernandes. It was released this week that Carrick and Fernandes had spoken after the Portuguese talisman was dropped against Bournemouth. He said “It was a decision, as I said, for what we felt for the game. That’s it. Bruno is fully committed to this football club, and there are absolutely no issues with that. We move forward, we make decisions as we go, and we’re looking forward to the game on Saturday now.” We can therefore expect him to start the game on Saturday.
As for absentees, it’s good and bad news for United fans. It was confirmed midweek that striker, Benjamin Sesko, will be out until at least January with the shin injury that he’s been dealing with since the end of last season. It wasn’t all bad news, however, with England midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo returned to training this week, with Carrick noting “Kobbie’s done a little bit of training yesterday, so he’s back in and around the group, so that’s obviously a positive”.
Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Manuel Ugarte remain out.
Chelsea vs Manchester United Predicted XI
Chelsea Predicted Lineup
Penders
Gusto
Acheampong
Colwill
Fofana
Caicedo
Henderson
Neto
Palmer
Rogers
Welbeck
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Lammens
Yoro
Maguire
Martinez
Dalot
Baleba
Tielemans
Diallo
Fernandes
Cunha
Mbeuemo
The Last Word – Prediction
In what is yet another must-win game for Michael Carrick’s Manchester United side, it may be an uphill battle.
The atmosphere around Manchester United this week has been both confusing and toxic and this likely won’t change after the game on Saturday. The only plus is that Chelsea played 90 minutes against a good Liverpool side on Wednesday night and will play again early on Saturday, whereas United haven’t played since Sunday.
Pedro is a huge loss for the Blues, as is Lacroix, however, Hato and Welbeck are decent replacements, especially against United’s woeful defence.
Bruno Fernandes’ return to the squad should provide some quality in the midfield, however, he’s been out of form this season.
Prediction Chelsea 2 – 1 Manchester United
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Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / APL