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Manchester United are set to face Chelsea in the Emirates FA Cup on Monday evening for a place in the quarter-final of the competition. Both teams have already faced off this season, playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
However, so many things have changed since that Premier League clash. United’s two-goal hero in that game, Anthony Martial, is currently injured, while manager Jose Mourinho has since been shown the exit with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being appointed as caretaker manager.
At Chelsea, it hasn’t been easy for Maurizio Sarri, either, whose side lost 6-0 to Manchester City just a week ago. That, therefore, means there is so much at stake as the Blues once again welcome United to Stamford Bridge on Monday.
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But the dynamics have changed, as things are looking brighter on the side of Solskjaer’s men than for Chelsea.
Here are three reasons why Man United will beat Chelsea in the FA Cup:
#3 Better form
Manchester United may have lost in the Champions League to Paris Saint-Germain, but that does not in any way taint the club’s recent run of good form. Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge, the Red Devils have won 10 times, drawn once and lost just one game in all competitions.
This makes the Old Trafford outfit favourites ahead of the FA Cup game against Chelsea. The Blues themselves have not been in good form, having suffered humiliating losses against Arsenal (0-2), Bournemouth (0-4) and Manchester City (0-6) in recent weeks.
Such a downturn in results points to a team short of confidence and that is something that Man United can exploit on Monday. Having better form doesn’t guarantee a win for Solskjaer’s men, but it makes them favourites.
And, on the back of Chelsea’s big losses in recent times, the Red Devils should be able to engineer a win when they visit Stamford Bridge.
#2 Sarri looks out of his depth at the moment
The FA Cup game between Chelsea and Manchester United will witness two managers at the opposite ends of the spectrum: Maurizio Sarri and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Although the Blues manager is more experienced, the Italian has looked tactically lost in recent times.
Sarri has made a name for himself by parading teams that play attractive football, however, that system is yet to become fully functional at Chelsea. The decision to play Jorginho in defensive midfield, ahead of N’Golo Kante, remains a tactical conundrum.
Many times this season, the Blues have been left brutally exposed at the back due to Jorginho’s lack of defensive awareness. January signing Gonzalo Higuain is also yet to adapt to Chelsea’s system of play, while the porous situation at left-back also remains unsolved.
Currently, Sarri looks like a man out of his depth and that is the last thing Chelsea need ahead of the Man United game. On the contrary, the Red Devils are gradually finding their feet under Solskjaer and could compound Chelsea’s woes by eliminating the Blues from the FA Cup.
#1 Manchester United have a point to prove after PSG loss
Another reason why Manchester United could beat Chelsea is that the Red Devils will approach the game as wounded lions. Having lost to PSG in the Champions League, Solskjaer and his men will look to bounce back immediately.
Man United would want to prove that the loss against PSG was a one-off and that their resurgence is no fluke.
One may argue that Chelsea also have a point to prove after that 6-0 loss to Manchester City. That is true, but that also means that the Blues will be under more pressure when they welcome Manchester United on Monday.
Having already been overtaken by the Red Devils in the Premier League, Chelsea are now under intense pressure to do well in the FA Cup. The Blues may also have a point to prove but Solskjaer’s men have a bigger point to prove in the wake of their first loss in 12 games under the caretaker manager.
