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Manchester United travel for a Premier League clash against Chelsea at the worst possible time of the season for them. Their opponents Chelsea are at the top of the Premier League and have just hammered Italian giants Juventus 4-0 to gain top spot in their UEFA Champions League group.
Manchester United sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and put his assistant Michael Carrick in charge of the side on an interim basis after a poor run of form.
The former Manchester United midfielder secured the club's place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Villarreal in his first match. Although United have reached an agreement with Ralf Rangnick to take over on an interim basis, there are still formalities to sort out before he can be on the touchline.
Chelsea have injury concerns ahead of their Premier League clash against Manchester United
Meanwhile, injuries to N'Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell have further depleted Chelsea's squad, but their impressive depth will likely cover for the absentees. Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku returning to full fitness will also be a boost for Chelsea against Manchester United.
Here is our predicted starting XI for Chelsea in their crunch Premier League tie against Manchester United:
GK: Edouard Mendy
Senegalese shot-stopper Edouard Mendy is sure to continue in goal for Chelsea against Manchester United. The goalkeeper has kept seven clean sheets in the Premier League this season and has been one of the best in the world between the sticks this year.
The 29-year-old will be determined to keep a clean sheet when he comes up against Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester United forward scored against Villarreal and Mendy will be wary of the threat he carries.
RCB: Trevoh Chalobah
Chelsea's revelation of the season so far, Trevoh Chalobah is poised to start for a third consecutive game for Chelsea against Manchester United. The 22-year-old is expected to start ahead of Andreas Christensen due to the momentum he has built in recent matches.
The youngster has been impressive for Chelsea when he has played, grabbing the opportunity given to him by Thomas Tuchel with both hands. He will look to prove a point against Manchester United.
CB: Thiago Silva
Brazil captain Thiago Silva continues to age like a fine wine as he has shown in recent weeks for Chelsea. The veteran came through two high-intensity games unscathed. As such, Thomas Tuchel will look to count on him again in the Premier League against Manchester United this weekend.
Silva's performances in a Chelsea shirt will have Manchester United worried about where their goals will come from.
LCB: Antonio Rudiger
German defender Antonio Rudiger is expected to continue on the left side of the back three for Chelsea against Manchester United. The experienced central defender has been a regular for Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, never missing a match when fit.
With Chelsea's dire Premier League record against Manchester United in recent seasons, Rudiger will play a key role in helping the Blues defeat them.
RWB: Reece James
Manchester United will rightly expect Chelsea to start with Reece James at right-wing back in their Premier League encounter on Sunday. Chelsea have in James one of the best right backs in the Premier League and in the world at the moment.
The full-back will go into the match against Manchester United having delivered four goals and four assists in the Premier League so far. The 21-year-old has played a key role for the Blues this season, serving as a secret weapon for Thomas Tuchel, with his increased productivity evidence of this.
Against Manchester United, more of this is expected.
With the Manchester United side low on confidence, James will have a vital role to play for Chelsea, who look to retain their place atop the Premier League standings.
CM: Jorginho
As usual, Jorginho is expected to start in midfield for Chelsea against Manchester United. The Italian midfielder has been a mainstay this season for Thomas Tuchel in the Premier League, especially with the extended absence of Mateo Kovacic.
Jorginho will take on the captain's armband against Manchester United, having done so in the club's last few matches in the absence of Cesar Azpilicueta. The midfielder will play a key role for Chelsea in the middle of the park against Manchester United.
CM: Ruben Loftus-Cheek
In the absence of the injured N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is expected to start in midfield for Chelsea against Manchester United.
The Englishman has excelled when played in the pivot by Thomas Tuchel this season and he will be looking to deliver good performances consistently. Tuchel will have high hopes of him performing well against Manchester United.
Loftus-Cheek will have an interesting battle against the Manchester United midfield because of his sheer frame and style of play. The midfielder will likely hold the key to ball progression for Chelsea in the match.
LWB: Marcos Alonso
Experienced Spanish defender Marcos Alonso is expected to start against Manchester United after Ben Chilwell picked up an unfortunate injury against Juventus.
Despite Tuchel's decision to play Cesar Azpilicueta in place of Chilwell after his injury, it is doubtful that he will continue in that position. The defender has scored against Manchester United in the past and is adept at finding the back of the net for his team.
Alonso has hardly featured in the Premier League since the early weeks of the season, but would be just as crucial as Reece James. The Spaniard played and impressed in the inverted wing-back role for Spain in the UEFA Nations League finals and could be asked to replicate that performance against Manchester United.
LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea are expected to retain Callum Hudson-Odoi for their Premier League game against Manchester United. The Blues have begun to see the best of Hudson-Odoi in recent weeks after the youngster had a sustained run of matches in his preferred position.
The 21-year-old winger has provided a constant threat down the left flank with his willingness to take on his man and try to find the net with a shot. He came within inches of scoring against Leicester City in the Premier League and found the net for Chelsea in their 4-0 hammering of Juventus in the Champions League.
Hudson-Odoi has benefitted from injuries to Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku, and is expected to make his eighth consecutive start despite their recovery from injury.
The youngster will come up against Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, a long-time friend of his. Hudson-Odoi will want to make a statement against Manchester United and help Chelsea maintain top spot in the Premier League.
RW: Hakim Ziyech
Chelsea will likely start with Hakim Ziyech on the right flank against Manchester United, with the winger expected to return to the Premier League lineup after impressing against Juventus.
Ziyech and Reece James complimented one another on the right flank and delivered a masterful dominance of the right flank against Juventus.
Manchester United will struggle to cope with Ziyech and James's crossing ability as they often look to swap roles to create an overload. Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has looked shaky in recent weeks, and could be targeted by the duo if he starts.
Against Manchester United, Ziyech will look to make an impact and further force his way into the reckoning under Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
CF: Christian Pulisic
Captain America, as Christian Pulisic is fondly known, is expected to start for Chelsea against Manchester United. The 22-year-old forward started and scored for Chelsea in their last Premier League match against Leicester City.
Despite Timo Werner coming on as a substitute and scoring against Juventus, the German forward is expected to start on the bench against Manchester United.
Like the German, Romelu Lukaku has also been passed fit for the upcoming Premier League game. However, Tuchel is unlikely to tinker too much with the winning combination that has yielded eight goals in their last two appearances.
As such, Lukaku may also have to do with a place on the bench against his former club Manchester United.
