Manchester United vs Chelsea confirmed lineups as Rashford and Ronaldo start English Premier League
Time is running out for the Red Devils to secure Champions League football for next season with tonight’s clash against the Blues a must-win fixture.
Ralf Rangnick’s United have lost three of their last four in the Premier League and sit six points behind Arsenal having played a game more ahead of this Thursday night match-up.
In third, Chelsea enjoy a big advantage over the chasing pack and will go ten points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with five games to go, if they can secure a victory in Manchester.
Christian Pulisic delivered the latest of wins for the capital club last time out as they downed West Ham, their first win at home in over a month.
Chelsea have found matters easier going on the road however and have not lost to United in their last four meetings.
Manchester United XI: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Telles; McTominay, Matic; Elanga, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo.
Subs: Henderson, Heaton, Fernandez, Jones, Hannibal, Mata, Garnacho, Bailly, Shoretire.
Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Kante, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Werner.
Subs: Kepa, Sarr, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Pulisic, Ziyech, Kenedy, Lukaku.
Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel said on Wednesday: “Toni was in training yesterday, the same for Reece James. We have another training [session] coming. Hopefully they can do the full training and give us the green light.
“We hope they can be in the squad and play tomorrow. The same for Andreas, we need another examination. He felt sick. He will come back to the training ground today.”
Chelsea are looking to further cement their position in third place with victory at Old Trafford. United, meanwhile, are scrambling around for European football.
Tuchel added: “We and Manchester United would love to be in a title decider, but unfortunately there are two other teams in red and blue who have a word to say and over the last years have made their point strongly.
“We have to accept it and try to close the gap, [to] Manchester United as well in the last year’s campaign being second.
“Man United are one of the biggest clubs, very famous and successful. I can only repeat I am very grateful and excited to play there and arrive with a strong team.
“We arrive to win and play for the victory. This is a great feeling.
“I am not concerned about Man United. It is not my job and they will always recover. It is a huge club and the squad is full of individual talent. I am not involved, we have enough to do here.”
