Match Preview: Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Manchester United have a huge game in the context of the push for a UEFA Champions League place, when tackling sixth-placed Chelsea on Saturday.

The evening encounter at Stamford Bridge presents an opportunity to bounce back from the disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Leeds United on Monday.

With a chance to extend the lead over the west Londoners to 10 points passed up, as the top five in the table all qualify for Europe’s premier competition next term, Michael Carrick’s side still sit third and will look to show our true colours in the capital.

Chelsea are not in good form, with their last Premier League win coming on 4 March, albeit an impressive one, beating fellow contenders Aston Villa 4-1 away from home.

Since then, the Blues have exited the Champions League, 8-2 on aggregate to holders Paris Saint-Germain, and lost three league matches on the spin, without scoring.

Liam Rosenior’s men have progressed to the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals, overcoming Wrexham and Port Vale, with a Wembley date against Leeds on the horizon.

United defeated the Blues 2-1 as the rain lashed down at Old Trafford, back on 20 September.

It was the visitors’ first defeat of the campaign and came after they lost keeper Robert Sanchez to a red card after only five minutes, for hauling Bryan Mbeumo down as he raced through on goal.

Bruno Fernandes poked in his 100th goal for the club to open the scoring and Casemiro nodded in the second, before being sent off as the first half drew to a close.