Manchester United entertain Chelsea in a much-anticipated Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils have pretty much fallen out of the running for the title after dropping 16 points behind league leaders Manchester City, but they will still have an eye for the runner-up spot, where they have a three-point advantage over fourth-placed Chelsea.
The visitors looked out-of-sorts just around two weeks ago, but the sequence of results since then, which has included a hard-fought 1-1 Champions League draw against Barcelona, puts them in good shape for the Red Devils game. Jose Mourinho will prepare to face his former side for the fifth time in two seasons after a goalless Champions draw at Sevilla.
Players to watch for:
Paul Pogba – Manchester United: The Frenchman has been void of confidence in recent weeks, and this has seen Jose Mourinho bench him in place of the impressive Scott McTominay. Mourinho has stuck with the 4-3-3 formation in the last two away games, and adopting a similar setup with Chelsea could see a rare start for Pogba this month. The 24-year-old has been yearning to play on the left side of a midfield three, and he may have a huge point to prove this weekend after another average showing in Seville, where he came on for the injured Ander Herrera.
Willian – Chelsea: The Brazil international has been the man of the moment for Chelsea. Willian produced one of the best matches of his Blues career during the 1-1 draw versus Barca, and he could have quite easily bagged a hat-trick, having hit the woodwork twice in the first-half. The 29-year-old has mostly played behind Pedro whenever Conte has chosen for a 3-4-3 formation, but his tally of three goals in the last two outings should assure him of a starting role this weekend. The attacker also remains a potent threat from set-pieces, though Marcos Alonso has got the better share of free-kicks of late.
Prediction:
Manchester United had to thank the efforts of David de Gea to avoid a disappointing result in Seville. However, Mourinho’s men rarely lose at home, but this is a game which could test their limits.
Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea
Image – Getty