Table of Contents
A new era is dawning at Manchester United Erik ten Hag out And Ruben Amorim would take over the reins of the Red Devils but it doesn’t look like this will actually take off until the November international break when the new boss takes over. This means that Ruud Van Nistelrooy will still get a number of matches as leader of the team he played for as a player. Having already fueled the United attack in a 6-2 win over Leicester City in the EFL Cupthe Red Devils will now face a tougher challenge in Champions League contenders Chelsea.
The Blues have been on a tear under Enzo Maresca, but he is looking to bounce back after the win eliminated from the EFL League Cup. It won’t be easy to stop United’s attack, but defense is still a big problem, and that’s where Cole Palmer and the Blues can get the job done away from home. Palmer has scored nine goals and seven assists in all competitions so far this season as he develops into an unstoppable force for Chelsea.
Despite Ten Hag’s underperformance, United is a team that has created enough chances, but has not taken them. With an expected goal total of 14.78, United performed more than six goals less well and scored only eight. If enough of those end up in the net, Ten Hag is likely still the manager, which is the perfect place for a new manager. If Van Nistelrooy and Amorim can get Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes off the hook, this is a side that will quickly take over and that’s why Chelsea should be worried in this encounter.
Here are a few things to look out for during the match:
Will the real Bruno Fernandes please stand up?
For better or worse, this is Fernandes’ attack, but until he faced Leicester, where he scored a goal in the EFL Cup, it didn’t feel like it. Fernandes scored 28 shots in the league match, but has yet to score a goal. He hasn’t been the dominant player in creating chances for others, as the varying issues at striker have forced him to shoot more, but he hasn’t been effective at doing so. Fernandes is someone who can be relied on for double-figure goals and assists over a season, but that is what United need if they want to win a trophy this season.
Improvements can come from elsewhere, but this team needs their stars to perform like stars. If they do, there’s no reason why United can’t secure a European spot despite their less-than-ideal start to the season.
Set pieces can determine the game
Chelsea is sensitive to goals from corners and free kicks. They have allowed the third most goals in the league in these situations. With the addition of Matthijs de Ligt, Manchester United can make things happen from those scenarios and if a team focuses too much on the Dutchman, Casemiro is also lurking. Maresca probably recognized this risk, but stopping it is easier said than done. Robert Sanchez can be an excellent shot-stopper in Chelsea’s goal, but he doesn’t manage the penalty area well and due to injuries and rotation there is no set defense for him, so on any given day the players aren’t entirely comfortable with each other.
The Cole Palmer Show
Palmer has quickly become one of the most watched players in the Premier League. At just 22 years old, he has scored 29 Premier League goals, in addition to 17 assists. Most of that has come since joining Chelsea last season, where he broke through with a 22-goal season. He has shown that the eruption was no fluke and picked up where he left off. Capable of scoring four goals or a hat-trick of assists, you can’t take your eyes off Palmer. That goes for viewers of the game and the defense. If you lose him for a moment, something special can happen.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Sunday November 3 | Time: 11:30 am
- Location: Old Trafford-Manchester, England
- TV: USA | Live stream: fubo TV (Try for free)
- Chances: Manchester United +155; Sign +280; Chelsea+145