Manchester United will kickstart their Premier League campaign on Sunday against Chelsea in what is going to be the most anticipated match of the Gameweek 1. The Red Devils have endured a busy transfer window, and it would be interesting to see how Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer plans to utilise the full potential of his new signings.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will brace themselves for a rough season due to their inability to take part in the transfer market dealings. However, the newly appointed Frank Lampard has done well to stamp some sort of identity to the club, even though he was fazed by the departure of star player Eden Hazard.
Talking Tactics
Lampard is likely to opt for his favourite 4-2-3-1 formation with Jorginho deployed alongside Mateo Kovacic in the double pivot if N’Golo Kante misses out. Christian Pulisic is in line to make his Premier League debut. Tammy Abraham may also be rewarded with a start ahead of Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud in the number nine slot. The pace and tenacity of these two players will be key as the Blues look to oust the United backline.
Solskjaer may also opt for a similar 4-2-3-1 setup to mirror Chelsea’s formation. Marcus Rashford will undoubtedly lead the attack while new signing Daniel James is expected to make his Premier League debut. The 4-2-3-1 shape could potentially turn into a 4-1-4-1 with Scott McTominay dropping in as the lone holding midfielder while Paul Pogba has the license to move forward.
Team News
Manchester United
Pogba has been declared fit to take part in Sunday’s clash against Chelsea. But, United will miss out on Eric Bailly due to injury while Alexis Sanchez lacks match fitness. Aside from that, Solskjaer will have the privilege of choosing from an almost entirely fit Manchester United squad this weekend.
Manchester United predicted XI
David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire; Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba; Daniel James, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial; Marcus Rashford.
Chelsea
Kante will face a late assessment over his match fitness. As for Antonio Rudiger, he will remain unlikely to feature on Sunday along with Willian. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus Cheek have been sidelined with their respective injuries.
Chelsea predicted XI
Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen, Marcus Alonso; Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic; Pedro, Ross Barkley, Christian Pulisic; Tammy Abraham.
Key Men
All eyes will be on United’s record defensive signing Maguire this weekend after he had joined from Leicester for a fee of €87 million this summer. The English international will be in charge of keeping tabs on Abraham and also deny Pulisic the opportunity to move into central areas and have an attempt on goal. Maguire’s aerial prowess could also become key, especially when Chelsea bring on Giroud.
For Chelsea, their attack will likely revolve around Pulisic. The USMNT star is now one of the club’s main attackers following the departure of Hazard. His pace and willingness to take on defenders could be a handful for United’s new signing Wan-Bissaka on the right flank. Therefore, he remains one of Chelsea’s key men heading into this fixture.
Odds
Manchester United win: 6/5
Chelsea win: 5/2
Draw: 23/10
