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Jose Mourinho (L) will go head-to-head with Louis van GaalWhen Manchester United host Chelsea on Saturday, they will be facing their biggest test of the season so far. The Red Devils have been highly inconsistent so far and have conceded 12 league goals in just eight games. That’s an average of a goal and a half conceded in every game.Chelsea on the other hand have been the undisputed league leaders right from the first game week and are yet to lose a game. In fact, the Londoners have just dropped two points so far and that was in a tough away trip to the Etihad. Mourinho’s men have also scored the most number of goals in the league with 23 goals and they also have the joint second best defence in the league. Chelsea’s form will be a worrying factor for Manchester United even though the match is at Old Trafford.Both teams will be missing some of their key players through injuries and suspensions for this weekend’s clash. The players that are unavailable for the game have been overlooked for the combined XI. Formation: 4-2-3-1Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author and do not reflect those of the site.
#1 Goalkeeper
David De Gea
Although the Manchester United defence has been pretty mediocre this season, their last man between the opposition and goal has been excellent for the Red Devils.
De Gea has made some spectacular saves to save Manchester United the blushes on many occasions and his best performance of the season came against Merseyside club Everton. The Spaniard made several important saves in the game, including a penalty from Leighton Baines which also made him the first player to stop a penalty from Baines. The United number one made a last minute save diving to his weaker side which kept the score at 2-1 and gave his side three vital points.
He has only kept two clean sheets this season and both came against bottom placed teams Burnley and Queens Park Rangers, but that doesn’t give the slightest indication of the effort he has put in.
#2 Defence
RB: Branislav Ivanovic
The big Serbian has been his usual self this season going up and down the right wing. Ivanovic has been very threatening offensively and the Serb has already scored two goals. Even though he likes to go forward a lot, he has been there to defend when his team needs him and has put in some good defensive displays. He put in an excellent performance against Arsenal and he frustrated Gunners’ winger Alexis Sanchez throughout the game.
CBs: John Terry and Gary Cahill
John Terry continues to prove that age is just a number with his brilliant defensive display for Chelsea. The former England captain has formed one of the best defensive partnerships in the league with compatriot Gary Cahill and the duo have helped Chelsea keep three clean-sheets this season. Cahill and Terry are one of the major reasons why Chelsea have conceded just eight goals this season, which is the second best defensive record in the league.
LB: Filipe Luis
Cesar Azpilicueta was the first choice left-back for Chelsea in league games and this restricted Luis’s Premier League game time to just two substitute appearances. The Brazilian came on against Crystal Palace last weekend after Azpilicueta was sent off and put in a decent performance before playing a part in the goal Chelsea conceded. Luis is sure to start on Sunday in place of Azpilicueta and the Brazilian is more than capable of filling in.
#3 Midfield
CM: Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic has to be the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League right now. The Serb is nicknamed ‘Spider’ because he is almost everywhere on the pitch. Matic is a relentless hard worker for his team and is a valuable asset when it comes to breaking up the opposition play and starting counter attacks.
And on top of that, he also provides very good defensive cover for the Blues when their full backs push up the field.
CM: Danny Blind
Blind has slowly settled into life at Old Trafford. The former Ajax man was voted as the Dutch player of the year prior to his move to England and he has shown exactly why with his performances for the Red Devils.
Blind has moved the ball around with relative ease and has helped out his leaky backline to his very best. The Dutchman also scored a late goal against West Brom on Monday to secure a point for his team. Blind will now have to be on the top of his game to try and restrict an attack-minded Chelsea side.
CAM: Cesc Fabregas
Fabregas has shown why he is the king of assists with his noteworthy performances. The former Arsenal captain has already provided seven assists for the Blues so far. More importantly, he has formed an impressive partnership with fellow newcomer Diego Costa.
Fabregas also scored the winner for Chelsea last week against Crystal Palace, which was also his first Premier League goal for his new club. The Spaniard will be looking to deliver his defence splitting passes once again and it could easily trouble the struggling United defence.
Angel di Maria
Di Maria has eased into the United squad without needing any time to adjust to the league or his team. The former Real Madrid man has already provided four assists and scored three goals for his new club and he has only played six games.
The Argentine was initially judged to be doubtful for the game on Sunday, but now it looks very likely that he will be fit and available for selection to play Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Eden Hazard
The little Belgian was the winner of the Young Player of the Year award last season and he has tried very hard to keep up that reputation with his performance for the Blues. Hazard has gone about troubling the opposition defence with his pace and trickery and has helped in opening up spaces for players like Fabregas and Costa.
He has so far scored two goals and assisted one for the Blues and will be a handful for Rafael down the Manchester United’s right wing.
#4 Striker
Radamel Falcao
Diego Costa and Wayne Rooney are sure to miss Sunday’s clash through injury and suspension respectively, and this gives Manchester United’s latest acquisition a chance to make the list.
Falcao has so far played five Premier League games for the English side but hasn’t yet found his previous goal scoring form. The Colombian opened his tally against Everton with the eventual winner and has also provided two assists for United.
Falcao will have to step and perform at his very best on Sunday to have any chance of scoring past a resilient Chelsea defence.
Substitutes: Courtois, Rafael, Shaw, Schurrle, Willian, Van Persie, Drogba
