Manchester United face a daunting trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday, eyeing two wins in two under Michael Carrick. The stand-in boss has injury and suspension issues at the end of a turbulent November. Express Sport looks at the latest team news and how United could line up on what could be a tricky afternoon at Stamford Bridge.
Goalkeeper: De Gea
David de Gea kept United in the game at Villarreal before Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jadon Sancho secured a crucial 2-0 win.
It’s not the first time he’s done that this season, in which he’s arguably rediscovered his best form, keeping Dean Henderson on the bench.
JUST IN: Man Utd’s XI for Chelsea clash if Rangnick had been appointed sooner
Defence: Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Lindelof, Telles
Aaron Wan-Bissaka will have to be at his defensive best to mute Thomas Tuchel’s dangerous wide attackers.
Captain Harry Maguire is suspended after his red card at Watford, joining Raphael Varane in the list of absentees.
Carrick will have to field his second-choice partnership – Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof – against a likely-returning Romelu Lukaku.
After missing the Villarreal triumph, Luke Shaw is still a doubt, meaning Alex Telles should keep his place in a heavily rotated defence.
Attack: Sancho, Rashford, Ronaldo
Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani are both expected to miss another game on Sunday, but United may have settled on their preferred attacking line.
After scoring his first United goal against Villarreal, Sancho will be riding high and should start on the right again.
In midweek, Marcus Rashford made way for Anthony Martial but will likely switch with the Frenchman again on the left flank.
There is concern over whether Ronaldo will suit Ralf Rangnick’s pressing style this season, but he continues to remind people why he’s deemed undroppable with consistent goal contributions.
With Ralf Rangnick’s interim appointment imminent, the Chelsea trip should be Carrick’s last as United’s caretaker boss.
And he has backed his successor to quickly implement new ideas ahead of Thursday’s clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
He said: “You can get ideas across pretty quickly. I think history shows that. Sometimes it’s not the ideas but just a different voice or a freshness.
“There’s a good group of players here, so whoever comes in and whatever style he’s implementing, I’m sure they [the players] can adapt.”
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