After another heavy defeat, Manchester United are set to face their third ‘big six’ opponent in just five Premier League matches, as Chelsea arrive at Old Trafford. Pressure is mounting on United manager Ruben Amorim, with talk growing that he could be replaced during the October international break if results don’t improve.
The concern is understandable, as his team has only managed 31 points from his 31 league games in charge. A 3-0 loss in the recent Manchester derby showed how far United have fallen behind their rivals. Another loss here could prove costly, although United have won two of their last three home league matches, the same number as they had managed in their previous eleven.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are coming off a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, their first loss of the season. That result followed a disappointing 2-2 draw at Brentford, so the London side will be eager to bounce back. Manager Enzo Maresca has urged his players to build something positive from the Bayern loss as they prepare for their first away league match of the season. Chelsea have been solid on the road, losing just one of their last six away league games and winning three.
This fixture is the most drawn in Premier League history, with 27 draws overall and 14 of them at Old Trafford. United are unbeaten in their last 12 home league meetings with Chelsea, though they could lose back-to-back matches against them for the first time since 2011.
United have been creating chances at home, taking 94 shots across their last four home league matches but only scoring five times. All of their last three games have seen more than 2.5 goals. Chelsea have taken more corners than any other side in the first four rounds of the season, with 28. Interestingly, the half-time result has matched the full-time result in four of their five league games so far.
Bryan Mbeumo has a strong record against Chelsea in the league, contributing to six goals in seven matches, although none came at home. Moisés Caicedo scored Chelsea’s equaliser in this fixture last season, and all four of his goals for the Blues have come away from Stamford Bridge.
United were without Diogo Dalot, Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha in their last match, while Chelsea still have a few absentees like Liam Delap but no fresh injury concerns ahead of this clash.
