5 things Manchester United need to do to beat Chelsea

Despite finishing in second place in the league, the season has been dour for Manchester United because of their neighbour's success. The FA Cup final on Saturday is a chance to end the season on a high.

Jose Mourinho's pragmatic style of football has raised the ire of some United fans and other critics. Clinching the trophy on Saturday will be necessary to end the season on a high and ushering hope for next season.

This final could have huge implications for United, especially ahead of a summer in which huge personnel change is expected. On that note, here are 5 things Manchester United need to do to beat Chelsea.

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#1 Handle Chelsea's aerial prowess

Giroud and Morata are great headers of the ball

Chelsea have scored 17 headed goals in the Premier League this season, a high number in the league by far. This total has been prominently due to their strikers Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, but the defenders have chipped in as well.

United will have to deal with crosses and corners to nullify Chelsea's threat. The Blues have an array of crossing options as Alonso, Willian, Moses, Fabregas, and Azpilicueta can all deliver a mean cross.

Mourinho's defenders stand tall themselves but their hands (or heads) will definitely be full come Saturday.

#2 Dominate Chelsea's inferior midfield

United's midfield trio can wrest control of the game for them

United's midfield on Saturday will most likely be the trio of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, and Ander Herrera. Their counterparts in blue will be N'Golo Kante partnered by one or both of Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Bakayoko is short on confidence and experience, and Fabregas, despite his passing brilliance, lacks the stamina and work rate to contain the United midfield. Kante is brilliant but he does need an able partner.

The United trio is more dynamic and has the legs to overrun their rivals. Pogba's creativity in the final third will also be a factor.

The trio has managed to record 160 tackles, 129 interceptions, 180 dribbles and 13 assists in the league season. Certainly an all-action unit.

If Mourinho's midfield manages to stamp their authority on the game then it will enable his side to seize control of the game.

#3 Stifle Eden Hazard in the final third

Stopping Hazard will be key for Manchester United

Eden Hazard is the most important player in the Chelsea attack. The Belgian is responsible for a large fraction of Chelsea's attacking exploits and he can wreck any defence, on his day.

Hazard is Chelsea's top scorer with 16 goals and has registered 7 assists as well. His total of 101 key passes is by far the highest for his side, showing his importance.

Keeping Hazard quiet will be vital to United's chances of winning the game. The Belgian has the freedom to roam anywhere in the attacking third and hence it will need a team effort than an individual one to stop him.

Mourinho can assign one of his men to mark the Belgian; Ander Herrera performed this task quite successfully at Old Trafford last season, and could be given the task again.

Herrera praised Hazard in the buildup to Saturday, calling him 'the best player in the Premier League', but he and his teammates should not allow him to showcase his abilities on Saturday.

#4 Infiltrate the Chelsea defense by making runs in behind

Rashford can hurt Chelsea with his pace

Romelu Lukaku is an injury doubt for the game and his absence will be felt by United. Without the Belgian, the Red Devils lack a strong presence up front who can hold up play effectively.

In his absence, Marcus Rashford or Alexis Sanchez will be deployed as the central striker. Neither of them possesses the strength to hold up play, but their ability to run in behind can be used.

United's midfield three average 0.3 through balls per game combined, which is what Fabregas, Mesut Ozil, and Kevin De Bruyne manage individually.

Sanchez and Jesse Lingard drop down the pitch too often to receive the balls, which eases the opposition's defence.

The United attack should try to run behind the Chelsea backline which will cause more problems. Last season, Rashford showed how to hurt Chelsea as his pace was tough for them to handle. United can certainly employ similar tactics on Saturday.

#5 Press the Chelsea wing-backs into their own half

The impact of Moses and Alonso should be limited

The width which Chelsea's wing-backs offer is crucial for Conte as it provides two attacking options while in possession of the ball. Often, Moses and Alonso are the most advanced players on the pitch for Chelsea. However United can curtail their impact by putting pressure on them.

Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia can press their respective wing-backs which will smother Chelsea and stop their easy pass out wide. Obviously, the pressing should be done cleverly so as to not leave open channels for Hazard and Giroud to exploit.

Pressing Alonso and Moses when needed will keep the Blues cooped up in their own half and cut their passing options. Certainly, a tactic worth employing.