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The opening week of the Premier League will once again serve fans a big game, with Manchester United set to face Chelsea on Sunday. Both clubs have been rated as outsiders for the title, but both will be looking to have the best start possible.
Man United and Chelsea were inseparable last season, as they drew in both the home and away league fixtures. However, the Blues secured a top four finish and also ended the season with a Europa League trophy to show.
The Red Devils, on the other hand, missed out on the Champions League places and are therefore bent on quickly returning to the top of European football. This is a fresh season, and there’s all to play for.
As Man United prepare to host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, we take a look at 3 reasons why the Red Devils stand as favourites:
#3 The home factor
Chelsea have undoubtedly been Manchester United’s nemesis in the Premier League era; the Blues have beaten the Red Devils more times than any other side in the Premier League era. However, they don’t have a good record at Old Trafford.
In fact, the London outfit has not won at Old Trafford since 2013. Man United have not been at their best in recent years, but the club is not easily beaten at home.
Old Trafford may not be the fortress that it used to be, but the Red Devils have usually had the upper hand in games against Chelsea. And that home record will likely make a difference during Sunday’s fixture.
Having not beaten United at Old Trafford in the last six years, it doesn’t look like that will change, especially for this current Chelsea team.
#2 United are better prepared
Both Manchester United and Chelsea enjoyed good pre-seasons. In fact, both clubs barely lost games, and that is a good confidence booster going into the season. However, in terms of preparedness, the Red Devils stand as the better side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team was more intense and played better opposition during pre-season. While Chelsea did play Barcelona and Borussia Monchengladbach, those two were the only formidable opponents they faced.
United on the other hand tested themselves against the likes of Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan. Also, the United players got a feel of Solskjaer’s training regime during the tail end of last season, and they only built on that in pre-season.
Frank Lampard finds himself in a new terrain and faces an uphill task of imposing his own style on this Chelsea team. He may be sounding like all is well, but it takes more than just a month of pre-season to get a team playing the way the manager wants.
Solskjaer is much more settled and, at the very least, knows his players better. All these things will play in favour of Man United come Sunday.
#1 Chelsea depleted, United strengthened
The biggest point which makes Man United favourites is the fact that the Red Devils have strengthened while Chelsea have a rather depleted squad. The Blues lost their most valuable player in Eden Hazard when the Belgian joined Real Madrid this summer.
They were also shot into a defensive crisis after David Luiz opted to join rivals Arsenal on deadline day. With Chelsea currently serving a transfer ban, the Blues were unable to replace either player.
Although Man United have not had the best of transfers either, the club managed to address certain deficient areas. The Red Devils brought in Aaron Wan-Bissaka to solve the problematic right-back position, while Daniel James also looks set to own the right-wing position.
More importantly, Man United acquired the services of Harry Maguire to boost their defensive line. These moves have undoubtedly strengthened the Red Devils, in stark contrast to the diminished Chelsea.
