As Chelsea get ready to face Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend, the team will have to overcome a few potentially injurious pitfalls. Several key players are dealing with fitness concerns. Levi Colwill, Liam Delap and Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo are all still ruled out. It’s a political matchup with historical significance. The Blues haven’t won a Premier League match at Old Trafford since Juan Mata’s late winner in May 2013.
Chelsea’s managerial staff under Enzo Maresca are more prudent. They will look to do so against a Manchester United side who came 15th in the league last season. The fixture holds the record for the most drawn encounters in Premier League history. That’s 27 draws so far! Chelsea still has that winless run to end. On the other hand, Manchester United are returning from injury and they look to be trying to build their level.
Chelsea’s Injury Concerns and Squad Updates
The absence of several key players poses a significant challenge for Chelsea as they prepare for the match against Manchester United. In the meantime, the team will be without Colwill, Delap, Badiashile, Lavia and Essugo. They will be without Mykhaylo Mudryk, who is suspended for an alleged doping violation. They can point to some positive news as Alejandro Garnacho is with the team selection and travelling squad.
Garnacho’s transfer from Manchester United to Chelsea for £40 million ($54 million) would raise eyebrows. Having come off the bench in their last two games, he’s now earned a starting call-up. His significant experience and familiarity with Old Trafford might give Chelsea a little tactical edge that they can exploit. In other injury news, Cole Palmer is down to start after he felt acute groin discomfort during Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
Manager Enzo Maresca admitted the robustness of their squad would be thoroughly tested before the match.
“Cole is OK. We have a session now, we flew back yesterday. We need to assess some players; we have some doubts,” – Enzo Maresca
Manchester United’s Recent Developments
Just ask Manchester United, who have come under fire with even greater ferocity this season. They crashed to an underwhelming finish in the bottom half of the table. Coach Ruben Amorim just agreed to an emergency meeting last week with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe. Additionally, they shared their discussions on the club’s long term and short term goals.
Amorim has sounded hopeful that his team is moving in the right direction. He noted that while they faced defeats against formidable teams like Arsenal and Manchester City, there are signs of progress.
“The rest, I think we are improving compared to last year. I think we are in a better place. But again, we need to win; we lost against Arsenal and City,” – Ruben Amorim
Key players like Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha have returned from the treatment room, adding to a deep roster. Even with Manchester United’s disappointing league return last season, Amorim thinks they are better than that.
“I think last year I was very critical of the way we play… We need to be more aggressive in the boxes. We need to be more clinical,” – Ruben Amorim
Tactical Analysis Ahead of the Match
Both sides come into this clash with enormous stakes involved. For Chelsea, breaking their winless streak at Old Trafford is crucial not just for points but for building momentum amid current challenges. Maresca recognizes the daunting task ahead.
“It’s always difficult to play United away at Old Trafford,” – Enzo Maresca
He added that Chelsea must learn to manage expectations and pressure effectively as they strive for success against Manchester United.
“Some of the games they have played this season are not the real result… It will be a tough game, no doubt,” – Enzo Maresca
As both teams prepare for kickoff, the historical context and current circumstances set the stage for what promises to be an intense encounter.
