Manchester United vs Chelsea - 5 key battles | Premier League 2020-21

Manchester United v Chelsea
Manchester United v Chelsea

#3 Marcus Rashford vs Thiago Silva/Kurt Zouma

Kurt Zouma fouled Marcus Rashford and conceded a penalty when the two sides met in August last year
Kurt Zouma fouled Marcus Rashford and conceded a penalty when the two sides met in August last year

Marcus Rashford will show up for the Saturday's game bright-eyed and bushy tailed after having pulled off successive spectacular performances against Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain. Rashford scored one and assisted two against the Magpies and then scored United's winner against PSG in the Champions League.

With Anthony Martial ruled out of the game through suspension, Rashford is likely to be deployed down the centre but will often drift to the sides as flexibility is key to Solskjaer's attacking setup. But Rashford will consistently test the pace and composure of Chelsea's centre-backs as he has shown a lot of quality in and around the area.

Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva are likely to start for Chelsea at the back and will both need to be at the top of their game if they are to have a chance of keeping the confident Manchester United forward quiet on Saturday.

#2 Timo Werner vs Axel Tuanzebe

Axel Tuanzebe and Kylian Mbappe
Axel Tuanzebe and Kylian Mbappe

Timo Werner is one of the most talented young goalscorers in Europe and was excellent for Chelsea against Southampton where he scored two goals and also picked up an assist. He'll be hoping to build on that against Manchester United but it won't be easy.

He is likely to go up against Manchester United's young centre-back Axel Tuanzebe who put in a mesmerizing performance against Paris Saint-Germain. Mind you, Tuanzebe had spent almost a year on the sidelines before being called up to the starting XI and asked to deal with the threat of Neymar and Mbappe.

Tuanzebe hardly put a foot wrong all game and matched Mbappe's pace like it was no big deal. Manchester United need Tuanzebe on Saturday to contain Timo Werner and if the youngster can chip in with yet another impressive performance, Chelsea will find it difficult to break the Red Devils down.

#1 Bruno Fernandes vs N'Golo Kante

Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes

This ought to be the battle the settles it. Bruno Fernandes and N'Golo Kante are both tireless customers and they will not give up until the final blow of the whistle. The Portuguese talisman has been in excellent form for Manchester United but N'Golo Kante has the ability to neutralize him.

Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's main man and has played a hand in seven goals from just five starts so far this season across all competitions. But N'Golo Kante has not exactly been at his best but is expected to rise to the occasion on Saturday.

Kante loves impeding attacks and curbing the creativity of the opposition and Bruno Fernandes is a player who can give him a run for his money.

Quick Links