Manchester United vs Chelsea preview: Under-fire Ruben Amorim seeks redemption against the Blues

Manchester United host Chelsea on Saturday evening in a must-win match for Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils fell to a humiliating 3-0 defeat to local rivals Manchester City last time out, and Amorim will hope to relieve the pressure around Old Trafford with a win against the world champions.

United will look to exploit the Blues’ defensive lapses, as it cost them last time out against Bayern Munich.

Chelsea suffered a late equaliser to draw 2-2 against Brentford in their last Premier League outing.

They also succumbed to a 3-1 defeat on their Champions League return on Wednesday night when they faced Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

The Blues are one of only three Premier League sides, with Liverpool and Crystal Palace, to remain unbeaten this campaign going into this fixture.

Match preview

United’s captain Bruno Fernandes could make his 200th Premier League appearance in this match, which would make him the 28th player to reach that milestone for United.

The 31-year-old has provided 51 assists for the Red Devils, with only David Beckham making more in his first 200 for the club (62). He also needs just one more goal to clinch a century of goals in a United shirt.

While the Red Devils have only come out on top in two of their last 11 encounters with Saturday’s opponents Chelsea in all competitions (D6 L3), they are unbeaten in their last 12 PL home games against the Blues (W5 D7) since a 1-0 loss in May 2013.

After their 1-0 win courtesy of Marc Cucurella’s header in May, Chelsea are looking for successive league victories over United for the first time since winning three in a row between November 2009 and March 2011 under Carlo Ancelotti.

Chelsea vs Manchester United is the most drawn fixture in Premier League history, finishing level 27 times, with 14 of those draws coming at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have 83 wins, and Chelsea have 57, with 57 draws between them in their head-to-head stats.

Team news

Manchester United

Amorim will be encouraged by the potential return of Matheus Cunha back to the squad, who was close to fitness before last weekend.

The manager confirmed during his pre-match press conference that a late decision will be taken on Cunha; Lisandro Martinez remains out, while Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot remain doubtful.

Senne Lammens could make his debut for the Red Devils after a shaky performance from Altay Bayindir since the start of the campaign.

Chelsea

Alejandro Garnacho could get his first start for Chelsea against his former employers, as Maresca has confirmed he’s fit to start.

Enzo Maresca’s team has been plagued with injuries early in the season, as they will be without Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo.

Predicted line-ups

Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Noussair Mazraoui, Patrick Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Benjamin Sesko.

Chelsea: Robert Sánchez, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, Moisés Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Alejandro Garnacho, João Pedro.