Premier League preview: Manchester United vs Chelsea – Team news, prediction

Manchester United host Chelsea in the biggest Premier League clash of the weekend.

It is the first league fixture for United since the sacking of Erik ten Hag, which means Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge as interim manager. He will remain in that role until Ruben Amorim arrives to work from Sporting on November 11.

Van Nistelrooy got off to a winning start as interim boss with a comfortable 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round. United will now face Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Chelsea, meanwhile, go into the game after losing 2-0 against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup during the week. They beat the same opponent 2-1 in the league last weekend and that proves how hot and cold they have been.

However, Enzo Maresca’s side are positioning themselves to push for the Champions League spots this season. And that tells you they’ve been a lot stronger than United since the beginning of the campaign.

Manchester United vs Chelsea details

The match kicks off on Sunday at 4.30pm, November 3.

It takes place at Old Trafford with TV coverage shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Team News

Van Nistelrooy will be without several players for his first match as manager in the Premier League.

Harry Maguire, Mason Mount and Kobbie Mainoo are joined on the sidelines by Toby Collyer, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro.

Antony has also suffered an ankle sprain, so he won’t be available for selection.

Chelsea will be without Jadon Sancho as he is ineligible to play against his present club as a loanee. The winger missed the loss at Newcastle due to illness.

Prediction

I’d like to think we can build on the midweek win over Leicester, but United have been so inconsistent this season and we’ll need to be at our best to get three points on Sunday.

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea