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Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday afternoon in a high-profile clash to kick start game week 9 of the Premier League. Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in the new season so far as the Blues have made an early season blitz while the visitors have been stop-start and struggling to hit the throttle.
Currently, as much as 7 points separate the sides in the table.
This game would also spark a new managerial battle on the touchline as Mauricio Sarri and Jose Mourinho clash for the first time. However, the latter would also be wary of his terrible record at his old stomping ground, having been stomped on each of the previous three visits there as the United manager. Another stinker on Saturday is touted to end his run.
Ahead of the sizzling showdown, let's look at how Chelsea and Manchester United stack up in a combined XI:
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
Even if everyone around him have blown hot and cold, De Gea has consistently dished out good performances and also saved his side's beacon on numerous occasions this year. Following an uncharacteristically poor World Cup with Spain, he's back to business as usual for the Red Devils, pulling off 25 saves in 8 appearances so far: one of the only two goalkeepers from the top six teams to edge inside top 10 on that count.
But for all of that, he's kept only one solitary clean sheet in the league - courtesy of a 2-0 win over Burnley on matchday four. However, not all of this can be apportioned solely on De Gea's shoulders as United's inadequacies at the back have been repeatedly exploited, leaving the Spaniard hopelessly exposed.
Right-back: Cesar Azpilicueta
Antonio Valencia's poor attacking returns mean his Chelsea rival gets the nod here, with Azpilicueta in, particularly good form. He has added an extra edge to his side's already fearsome attack and also weighed in with the assists.
With an average of two tackles and almost a clearance each game, the Spaniard's defensive aspect of the game has been impressive too while the 571 passes he's laid currently rank among the 10 best figures in the league.
Centre-back: David Luiz
With the appointment of Sarri, the Brazilian has been reinstated in the line-up and has started all 8 of Chelsea's game so far. That doesn't really mean he's been downright fantastic or something, but Luiz is getting back to his best.
He looks assured at the back and also averages over 4 clearances per game. Luiz has also dovetailed to Sarri's schemes as his 614 passes so far rank him fifth in the league.
Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger
Having endured a baptism of fire following a switch to Chelsea, Rudiger gradually went on to redeem himself and turned in considerable shows at the back even if the Blues stuttered along the way.
He's got off to the new campaign in a similarly fine vein, starting all games and giving a good account of himself with his timely tackles and vigilant interceptions. Rudiger's partnership with Luiz at the heart of the defence has yielded four clean sheets so far.
Left-back: Marcos Alonso
Arguably the best fullback in the league, Alonso continues to grace new heights with his performances and this season too, has been as top-notch as always. His relentless scampering down the left flank has made that part of Chelsea's play ridiculously strong and Alonso has been directly involved in the goals too, striking once and assisting twice so far.
The Spaniard is one of the few fullbacks to match his offensive stats with equally impressive defending, as his average of 2 tackles and 4.4 clearances per game would suggest.
Defensive midfielder: Jorginho
Chelsea's pass master, Sarri has built his team around his Napoli protege and on current evidence, it's working to great effect. Jorginho's 853 passes is the most by a country mile, but those weren't just pointless kneading of the ball like that of Spain in their round of 16 games against Russia.
His passes are incisive, defence-splitting and picks out players in good positions when Chelsea are in the attack. It's this facet of his game that can cause the undoing of United on Saturday.
Left-midfielder: Paul Pogba
Despite the annoying public denunciation by his manager, Pogba returned as a World Cup winner and has got off to the new campaign in the same vein. He's been operating from a slightly advanced role that pretty much explains his confidence, while the Frenchman has also chipped in with two penalties, both of which came in the first two league games, to go with an assist. But his average of 3.3 shots per game shows he's become a real attacking threat these days.
Right-midfielder: N'Golo Kante
Ever quiet but evergreen, Kante has been shunted to the right side of the midfield since the arrival of Jorginho, but that's hardly impacted his game as he continues to be impressive. The Frenchman is seen getting more involved in the attacks, however, and also has a goal to back the claim.
But he remains the battering ram of Chelsea side to break opposition defences with his terrific work-rate and link-up play.
Left winger: Eden Hazard
The Belgian wizard is the most prolific in the league so far with 7 goals. To put that into perspective, he's only 6 behind what he managed last term and 9 behind his best return, and we're not even halfway through the season! To add frosting to the cake, he also has 3 assists, which means he's had a hand in 56% of Chelsea's goals so far.
Hazard's amazing form has conveniently papered over Morata's struggles up front and would naturally be the single biggest threat coming from Chelsea that United have to deal with.
Right winger: Pedro
Sarri has utilised both Pedro and Willian down that right wing, but the Spaniard has stood out with three goals in four starts so far. However, one of those goals came from the bench which means Pedro has also impacted in a substitute role.
He just needs more consistency to nail down that position. And the Spaniard has what it takes to do it. He looks more confident than he did last term and might as well start in this one ahead of Willian.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku
Morata has cut himself some slack with a couple of goals in the last two games, but Lukaku has still been better. Only by a whisker though. The Belgian has struck four times so far, but his goals have dried up in the recent weeks: he's without one in the last six games in all competitions.
That has compelled United to look into other players for the goods, but he needs to find his scoring touch again to make a difference in this game.
