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Premier League title hopefuls Manchester United will travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea on Sunday in what could be an enthralling game.
Chelsea are yet to lose under Thomas Tuchel, recently returning to the top four after a sticky run under former manager Frank Lampard. Champions League football for next season is their priority, so they will not want to drop points at home to Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, meanwhile, are still outsiders for the league title. They will need to win most of their games and hope Manchester City drop points too.
Over the years, this fixture have produced some memorable encounters. This time around as well, the two teams possess some world-class players in their ranks to produce another spectacle.
On that note, let’s take a look at five players from either team to watch when the two teams face each other on Sunday:
#5 Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Mason Mount was perhaps the most important player under Frank Lampard, but he has also turned out to be a key player under Thomas Tuchel as well.
Mount’s work-rate and quality on the ball is key to the way Tuchel wants Chelsea to press from the front and win the ball back. The England international is also pretty direct, as his crosses and passing in the attacking third have often paid dividends this season.
The 22-year old, who has scored twice in his last three Premier League games for Chelsea, will be a threat to the Manchester United defence.
Mason Mount is pretty quick too, so he could be difficult to contain even if Solskjaer deploys two holding midfielders.
#4 Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Luke Shaw’s attacking impetus has perhaps gone under the radar this season despite the Manchester United full-back putting in some consistent displays.
He isn’t too flashy. As the spotlight is more often on the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, Shaw doesn’t get the deserved credit for the work he puts in.
Nevertheless, he has managed five assists in the league this season and has provided an attacking outlet for Manchester United from the left flank with his pin-point crossing.
With players like Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani in the box and a lethal striker of the ball in Bruno Fernandes waiting to pounce on any second balls, testing teams with crosses has worked well for Manchester United this season.
#3 Olivier Giroud (Chelsea)
Olivier Giroud, who adds a different dimension to the Chelsea attack, is likely to play against Manchester United. With the Frenchman in the side, the Blues can mix it up by holding the ball and bringing in the likes of Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi into the game.
Giroud’s classy first touch and ability to find his teammates with his back to goal often goes under the radar.
Manchester United are likely to crowd out the penalty box off the ball, so Giroud could be crucial in drawing in defenders and creating space for his fellow Chelsea attackers.
Giroud is also in good touch, having found the back of the net in the last two games for Chelsea, so the Blues will hope he can continue his scoring form against Manchester United.
#2 Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes has galvanised Manchester United since his arrival at the club last January. His presence on the pitch not only adds quality to the Manchester United attack, but his leadership qualities also transforms the team as a unit.
Considering how big an influence he has on his team’s attacking endeavours, Tuchel’s game-plan will be to press Fernandes when he has the ball.
The Portugal international has the technical ability and quality to find defence-splitting passes. If he has a good game, Manchester United could well come away with all three points.
Fernandes’ output has been incredible this season, as he has managed 15 goals and ten assists. The onus will be on Chelsea's N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic to stop the Manchester United talisman.
#1 Timo Werner (Chelsea)
Timo Werner’s form under Tuchel has improved, so he could be a big threat against Manchester United. The United centre-backs aren’t known for their pace as they generally like to play deep.
However, they build up from the back. So with the likes of Werner and Mount around to apply the press, the Chelsea attackers could very well be in business on Sunday.
Timo Werner’s footwork combined with his searing burst of pace could test the Manchester United defence, low block or not. His confidence in front of goal was at an all-time low under Lampard, but he seems to have rediscovered his mojo in recent games.
