MX23RW : Tuesday, May 14 17:03:15| >> :60:737:737:
[monks data]
Attendance: 74,526
Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 36
Apr 28, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-1

Mata (11')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Alonso (43')

How Manchester United could line up against Chelsea

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester United could line up for Sunday's Premier League showdown with top-four rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Sunday knowing that they are running out of lives in a top-four race that no-one seems to want to win.

Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal have all dropped points during the run-in, but it is United's slump which has been the most dramatic with seven defeats from their last nine games across all competitions - their worst run of form since 1962.

Wednesday's derby loss to Manchester City left them still three points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, and anything other than a victory this weekend over the team they are trying to catch would leave them facing the prospect of Europa League football next season.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could set his side up as he looks to stop the rot.



Possible MNU XI vs. CHE

Out: Antonio Valencia (muscle)
Doubtful: Phil Jones (knock), Ander Herrera (hamstring), Eric Bailly (head), Scott McTominay (knock)

> Click here to see Manchester United's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Solskjaer has confirmed that David de Gea's status as number one is not under threat despite an error-strewn campaign by his usual standards, including mistakes for both goals in Wednesday's derby.

United played with five at the back for the visit of Man City, but they are unlikely to be as defensive against Chelsea and could revert to a 4-3-1-2 formation - although Solskjaer does seem to still be looking for his preferred system.

Nemanja Matic was among the players dropped against City following the horror-show at Everton last weekend, but he will hope to regain his place with Fred's recent performances having also drawn criticism.

United could be boosted by the return of Ander Herrera after six games out with a hamstring injury, while Romelu Lukaku is also pushing for a recall alongside Marcus Rashford as Solskjaer tries to boost his side's attacking threat.

The Red Devils have failed to score a single goal from open play in their last five matches, with their only strikes in that time coming from the penalty spot courtesy of surprise PFA Team of the Year inclusion Paul Pogba.

Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Scott McTominay remain doubtful, with the latter having failed a fitness test ahead of the derby and undergoing another one prior to Sunday's match.

> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for this match

ID:357356: cacheID:357356:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5528:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba in action during his side's Premier League clash with Fulham on February 9, 2019
Read Next:
How Man Utd could line up against Man City
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!