Chelsea vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

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·16 mai 2025

Chelsea vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

Europa Conference League finalists Chelsea entertain Europa League finalists Manchester United this evening.

Tonight’s visitors are preparing for their fascinating clash with Tottenham in Bilbao on Wednesday night.

Vidéos OneFootball

Ruben Amorim revealed his selection won’t be heavily influenced by the upcoming final, with the Portuguese tactician preferring to build consistency in their preparation.

For the final time in the #PL this season, we are on the road 🛣️ #MUFC || #CHEMUN
– vendredi 16 mai 2025

Injuries prevented centre-backs Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro from participating in training during the week. They join fellow defenders Ayden Heaven and Diogo Dalot on the treatment table. Amorim didn’t mention the timeframe for any absence, with the final fast approaching. Toby Collyer and Jonny Evans are back at their manager’s disposal following an injury-plagued period.

Unlike United, Chelsea’s attention is focused on the Premier League, with a spot in the Champions League at stake.

The Blues will be without their focal point as Nicolas Jackson is suspended. The Senegalese striker caught Newcastle’s Sven Botman with a flailing elbow last weekend and was given his marching orders.

Enzo Maresca’s alternative striker options have been exhausted, with Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu struggling for fitness. Jadon Sancho is ineligible against his parent club while Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman and Mykhailo Mudryk remain out.

Chelsea vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

Form

Chelsea: WWWWL

Chelsea are on the cusp of returning to Europe’s elite competition after a two-year hiatus.

However, they faltered last weekend as they lost 2-0 to fellow contenders Newcastle United.

Nicolas Jackson’s first-half red card severely hindered the Blues and allowed Newcastle to have full control of the contest.

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– vendredi 16 mai 2025

That defeat ended a run of five straight victories in all competitions for Enzo Maresca and his players.

As it stands, Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League. However, they still have two tough tests to navigate, with tonight’s game preceding a trip to Nottingham Forest on the final day, who also have ambitions of Champions League qualification.

They also have the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis to consider, with the decider to be played in Poland on the 28th May.

Manchester United: DWLWL

Manchester United dropped to 16th last weekend as West Ham climbed above them with a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.

Goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen sunk the Red Devils, who were comfortably beaten by the Hammers.

It extended their hapless winless record in the Premier League to seven matches, including five defeats.

However, United can somewhat atone for their abysmal domestic form next Wednesday. They face Spurs in the Europa League final, with the winners earning a place in the Champions League next term.

Last Meeting: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea, Premier League, 3rd November 2024

It was honours even in the previous encounter as nothing could separate Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was managing his first league match as interim boss of United following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag.

Chelsea commenced the contest in brighter fashion and almost broke the deadlock from a corner in the 14th minute. Noni Madueke nodded onto the post from close range before Levi Colwill lashed into the side-netting.

Just before the break, it was the hosts’ turn to hit the woodwork. Bruno Fernandes clipped a pass towards the back post where Marcus Rashford was lurking, but the 27-year-old’s first-time volley brushed the crossbar.

Enzo Maresca’s side came out for the second half with a renewed sense of impetus. Direct play from Pedro Neto resulted in the winger drilling a shot narrowly wide of the target.

United were then awarded a penalty against the run of play. Wesley Fofana misjudged the flight of Casemiro’s raking pass from deep that found Rasmus Hojlund. The striker’s touch was slightly heavy, which drew Robert Sanchez towards the loose ball. However, Hojlund nicked in front of the goalkeeper and went down following contact.

Fernandes unerringly dispatched the spot-kick to give his side control of the contest.

Chelsea’s response was almost immediate as they restored parity just four minutes later. Moises Caicedo produced a stunning volley from the edge of the box that went through a sea of legs and deceived Andre Onana.

In the closing stages, Lisandro Martínez was fortunate to only receive a caution for a poorly-timed challenge on Cole Palmer. Neither side could snatch a winner, and the game ended level in Manchester.

Predicted Lineups

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, George; Neto.

Manchester United: Onana; Amad, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Dorgu; Casemiro, Ugarte; Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.

Who is the referee?

Chris Kavanagh will be the match official. Lee Betts and Richard West will assist him, while Tony Harrington will be the fourth official. Craig Pawson is on VAR duty, and Nick Hopton will assist him.