Champions League football will officially return to Old Trafford next season if Man United can avoid defeat to Chelsea tonight. With Frank Lampard’s Blues winning in just one of their nine games under the caretaker boss, Red Devils fans may see this as something of a shoo-in.
Erik ten Hag will be hoping Marcus Rashford will be fit for tonight’s Premier League clash, which looks to be a game in progress for both teams after being postponed for the FA Cup semi-finals earlier this year. Not only can United guarantee a top-four place with a point, but all three will send them into third place before the final weekend.
Chelsea are playing for little more than pride but can reclaim 11th place from Crystal Palace with a draw at Manchester. Raheem Sterling is expected to be fit despite his exclusion from the England squad, while Joao Felix is also back. Follow Man Utd vs Chelsea live via standard sportsNizaar Kinsella’s match blog provides expert on-pitch analysis.
Live updates
Who will come out on top?
Raphael Varane and Thiago Silva are, when combined, arguably the most decorated central defensive duo in the world.
Last match odds
Manchester United – 8/13
Draw – 16/5
Chelsea – 4/1
Odds via Legal sports bookssubject to change
Marcus Rashford enters the building
We’ll see if he’s fit to start at the top of the hour!
Man United are in the house
As always the first to arrive at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag’s side entered the venue with Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes and Wout Weghorst pictured arriving.
Marcus Rashford was also spotted exiting the bus.
Evening Standard score prediction
Chelsea are in such dire shape at the moment and Frank Lampard has even questioned the commitment of some of his players.
There is no indication that they are capable of beating such a good United side at home.
Man Utd win, 3-1.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Kepa; W Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chalobah; Azpilicueta, Gallagher, Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek, Hall; Sterling, Havertz (3-5-2)
Chelsea team news
Benoit Badiashile walked out with what is feared to be a long-term hamstring injury, joining Mason Mount, Reece James and Ben Chilwell in missing the remainder of the season.
Joao Felix, however, will return.
Lewis Hall looks set to continue in a left-back role.
N’Golo Kante, Armando Broja, Mateo Kovacic, Marc Cucurella and Marcus Bettinelli are also injured.
Predicts Man Utd XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Anthony, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial (4-2-3-1)
Man United Team News
Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Marcus Rashford will likely be fit to play against Chelsea after returning to training after illness and injury.
He said on Wednesday: “Looks like (he will be fit).
“Yesterday he resumed training. He looks pretty good but we have to see today what the result of the training is, how we recover and then we will make our choices.
Donny van de Beek and Lisandro Martinez remain out long-term while Wout Weghorst will look to oust Anthony Martial in attack.
Marcel Sabitzer is also absent, as well as Phil Jones and Tom Heaton.
How to watch Manchester United v Chelsea
TV channel: Tonight’s game will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR in the UK, with coverage starting at 7pm.
Direct: Subscribers can also access a live stream online via the Sky Go app.
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