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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Manchester United team vs Chelsea predicted with Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic returning

Manchester United are in desperate need for a turn around in form and they need it quick as their hopes for qualifying for next season's Champions League all but depend upon a victory against Chelsea.

Thanks to both Chelsea and Arsenal slipping up in recent results, United are still in contention to make the top four but a victory on Sunday against the Londoners is vital if they are to have a night like Paris again next season.

Chelsea are three points above United and have a goal difference of +8 in their favour, but as they are playing against one another United's winning margin would count for double and could significantly shorten the gap.

United also have the easier run in as they face already relegated Huddersfield Town and relegation strugglers Cardiff City, whereas Chelsea face Watford and Leicester, as well as playing their Europa League semi-final games in between.

A defeat, however, would see Chelsea have a six point gap with two games remaining and make it near impossible for United to qualify.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be looking for a big response from his players after the awful run of shambolic performances, especially from David De Gea.

The United boss has placed his faith in De Gea following his two mistakes against Man City and confirmed that his No.1 goalkeeper won't be dropped for the clash.

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The Norwegian said when asked if the Spaniard would be dropped: "No, not at all. Because I trust David and he's - for me - been the best player United have had last six or seven years, absolutely outstanding. And going through touch patches is part of a footballer's career and David will be fine."

The defence may be a different story. Solskjaer set up with a back three once again against City but now they're playing a side they know they can compete with - having already beaten them under Solskjaer in the FA Cup - a return to a solid back four and a more attacking line-up is possible.

In that case Matteo Darmian, who made his first Premier League start since Jose Mourinho's final game, will likely make way after not impressing upon his return.

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The rest of the defence will likely remain the same with a back four of Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw, though many fans would call for Diogo Dalot to start at right-back.

The midfield areas could also see several changes. In the victories against Arsenal and Chelsea, Solskjaer has opted for a diamond formation and it wouldn't be surprising to see him revert back to that here.

One change would see the ineffective Andrea Pereira drop out of the side in favour of Nemanja Matic, who has a lot more spacial aware and tactical disciplined than Fred in the defensive midfield role.

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Fred himself may only be saved for his poor performance in the derby due to a lack of other options.

Ander Herrera is expected to be involved on Sunday but it seems as though he may only be fit enough to make the bench whereas Scott McTominay faces a fitness test on Friday after failing one on Wednesday.

Should the Scotland international be fit then he will likely start on the right of midfield but if he doesn't make it then Fred may be moved to a more advanced position in which he is more comfortable.

READ MORE MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS

Paul Pogba is another player who needs a big performance and he will likely play on the left side of the midfield three.

Jesse Lingard may have been wasteful in front of goal against City but it's clear his energy brings an added impetus to the United attack, so he may start at the tip of the diamond with Marcus Rashford partnering Romelu Lukaku in attack.

Predicted Manchester United XI vs Chelsea: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, Matic, Pogba; Lingard; Lukaku, Rashford.

Predicted substitutes: Romero, Dalot, Jones, Herrera, Sanchez, Mata, Martial.

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