Man Utd vs Chelsea: Latest team news, predicted lineup and injuries

Date: 2024-10-31
Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho
Fernandes and Garnacho were both on the scoresheet midweek (Picture: Getty Images)

Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge once again when Manchester United host Chelsea in Premier League action this weekend.

The United legend was placed in temporary charge following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag on Monday.

With Ruben Amorim not expected to officially take the reins until November’s international break, van Nistelrooy will have three more games as interim manager following Wednesday’s thrilling Carabao Cup win over Leicester City.

The Dutchman is likely to still be without Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire for the visit of Chelsea with the pair still recovering from respective thigh and knee injuries.

Luke Shaw remains unavailable with Ten Hag confirming in his final correspondence as United manager the left-back has suffered yet another injury setback with his recovery ‘not going as we expected’.

Shaw has not played for his club since February and with Tyrell Malacia also still working his way back towards full fitness after his extended lay-off, van Nistelrooy is likely to remain without a recognised left-back option.

United are still to confirm the extent of Antony’s injury after he was stretchered off with what was reported to be an ankle sprain against Fenerbahce last week.

Manchester United v Leicester City - Carabao Cup Fourth Round
Van Nistelrooy off to a winning start midweek (Picture: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Leny Yoro meanwhile continues to step up his return in training with hope he can make return to action at some point in November.

Chelsea meanwhile head into the weekend with a relatively clean bill of health.

Jadon Sancho will be ineligible to face his parent club – but having been hooked at the break against Liverpool and left on the bench against Newcastle United last time out in the league, his place in the starting XI suddenly looks very uncertain.

Pedro Neto joined that otherwise settled attacking unit last weekend and is in line to keep his place in registering an assist in that 2-1 win.

Man Utd vs Chelsea stats
Palmer was in lethal form against United last season (Squawka)

As has become the norm, Enzo Maresca made wholesale changes midweek as the Blues crashed out of the Carabao Cup against Newcastle as part of their double-header against the Magpies, making 11 changes to the side that beat the same opposition at the weekend.

Cole Palmer was an unused substitute along with Levi Colwill with plenty of first-team regulars given the night off.

There was some concern for Wesley Fofana last weekend after he went down with discomfort in his knee – something Maresca believes will be an issue for the rest of his career after missing a year of action with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Manchester United 4-2-3-1 lineup against Chelsea
How United could line up this weekend…

But the former Leicester City star is expected to return to the side this weekend with Reece James hoping for his third successive start in the league after putting his latest injury problems behind him.

Predicted Man Utd XI to face Chelsea

Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund

Predicted Chelsea XI to fact Man Utd

Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, James, Caicedo, Lavia, Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Jackson

Chelsea 4-2-3-1 lineup against Man Utd
How Chelsea could line up this weekend…

Where to watch Man Utd vs Chelsea? Kick-off time and TV channel

Man Utd vs Chelsea kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday, 3 November.

Live coverage is available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with a live stream available on the Sky Go app and NOW TV.

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