Predicted Man Utd XI vs Chelsea: Five changes from midweek clash

Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes warms up for the UEFA Europa League Round of 32, 2nd leg football match between Manchester United and Real Sociedad at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on February 25, 2021. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has two days to prepare his players for a trip to Chelsea.

Thomas Tuchel has had a lot more time to ponder over his next line-up, with the Blues not playing since Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid.

We haven’t had many breaks this season with an extremely congested fixture schedule and the only thing that matters now is winning football matches.

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford both played a half each on Thursday night. The manager argued in his press conference that it will do them better playing some football rather than none at all, so he isn’t worried about them burning out anytime soon.

David de Gea will return between the sticks.

No surprises in the full-back positions expected, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw starting at Stamford Bridge.

Harry Maguire to be partnered by Eric Bailly for this one.

I had hoped to see Scott McTominay back for this one but understand he’s still a doubt, so I’ve gone for Nemanja Matic, Fred and Bruno Fernandes in midfield like we saw midweek against Real Sociedad.

Up front, let’s hope to see Edinson Cavani back fit with Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood at either side.

Predicted XI: De Gea; AWB, Maguire, Bailly, Shaw; Matic, Fred, Fernandes; Greenwood, Rashford, Cavani.

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