- Manchester United face Chelsea on Saturday
- Both squad are brimming with talent
- Cole Palmer and Casemiro don’t make our joint XI
Manchester United make the trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the battle of English football’s sleeping giants on Saturday night. Both teams have endured remarkable nosedives in modern times.
This fixture was often viewed as one of the biggest games of the season. Sir Alex Ferguson collided with Jose Mourinho during the height of the ‘Barclays’ era of the Premier League.
Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and John Terry were just four of the greats to have gone to war during those times. But that’s not to say there won’t be some top talent on display tomorrow.
With that said, Read Man Utd have assessed both teams ahead of the game and decided which eleven players make a best XI from both squads. This is based on form so expect some shocks.
Goalkeeper: Senne Lammens
Starting off with the easiest call to make and that is Senne Lammens being selected in goal. The Belgian goalkeeper has been one of the signings of the season, putting in unbelievable performances.
Lammens’ calm and composed approach has helped his defence and finally ended a nightmare period since David de Gea’s departure. He has appeared 26 times in the league, keeping five clean sheets.
Chelsea are somehow still putting their trust in Robert Sanchez despite his vulnerabilities. The Spanish shot-stopper started the season brightly but has gone back to his old mistake-prone ways.
Right-Back: Reece James
One of the most talented footballers in the Premier League is also Chelsea’s captain. Reece James is undoubtedly the top choice to start at right-back in this joint-XI.
James, when fit, is crucial for the Blues and that includes going forward. The England international has appeared 27 times in the top-flight this season, registering two goals and five assists.
Diogo Dalot has fared well since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January. But there’s no chance he starts over James.
Centre-Back: Harry Maguire
England fans should be concerned that Thomas Tuchel appears to prefer Trevoh Chalobah over Harry Maguire. The Manchester United centre-back has been excellent throughout the season and will, unfortunately, miss tomorrow’s game through suspension.
Maguire put pen to paper on a new one-year deal with the club last week as the Reds acknowledged his importance. Anyone questioning that decision just needs to watch the 2-1 loss to Leeds United on Monday, as he was sorely missed.
Centre-Back: Lisandro Martinez
It will probably upset a fair few Chelsea fans to see none of their centre-backs makes this team, but none of them is better than Maguire or Lisandro Martinez. In fact, you could argue that the Argentine is the best of the lot.
Martinez, like Maguire, won’t be available for the trip to Stamford Bridge as he’ll serve a three-match ban for a controversial hair pull in the Leeds game. He’ll be a huge loss given his effectiveness not just at keeping opposition attackers at bay but also on the ball, spreading the play with ease.
Left-Back: Marc Cucurella
While Luke Shaw is having a decent season back in his preferred position, Marc Cucurella is still one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. The Spaniard hasn’t quite been at his best since the turn of the year but he just takes this spot in the joint-XI.
Cucurella started his career with the Blues disastrously and there were even suggestions that he could leave on loan to United. That didn’t happen and after finally settling down in west London he has well and truly lived up to expectations.
Central Midfield: Moises Caicedo
If Moises Caicedo were still at Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, he’d be the ideal Casemiro replacement. But he is instead anchoring Chelsea’s midfield superbly.
Caicedo just makes everything look easy, and if he’s at his best, it’s often a good day for the Blues. He will be one of the main men for Rosenior’s side in tomorrow’s game, and United know about his threat from long range.
The Ecuadorian fired home a vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw between the two sides back in November 2024. Ensuring he doesn’t get similar opportunities will be one of the Reds’ main tasks.
Central Midfield: Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo’s return to United’s team has coincided with a push for Champions League qualification. Amorim has blood on his hands for snubbing the English youngster who was pondering his future until Carrick arrived.
Chelsea were one of the clubs reportedly interested in Mainoo until his reintegration into the Reds’ team led to him re-entering talks over a new contract. He missed the Leeds loss on Monday but has made the squad for tomorrow’s game.
Attacking Midfield: Bruno Fernandes
Who else but Bruno Fernandes? There hasn’t been a better player in the top flight this season, and he continues to chase the all-time assist record.
Fernandes has been unplayable at times, and his tally of eight goals and 17 assists explains why many think he deserves to be the PFA Player of the Year. He plays the beautiful game the right way but also knows how to get under the opposition’s skin.
Some Chelsea fans will probably make a case for Enzo Fernandez. But the Argentine is nowhere near the level of the Portuguese playmaker.
Right Wing: Bryan Mbeumo
Here comes the controversial call, and it’s Bryan Mbeumo who takes the right wing spot in this team. The Cameroonian has actually endured a drop in form since Benjamin Sesko took the number nine role.
That said, Mbeumo has more than lived up to expectations since arriving from Brentford for £71m. He has posted nine goals and three assists in 27 league games.
With the Reds attacker given the nod, that means there’s no place for Cole Palmer and rightfully so. The English star has been poor this term, and injuries aside, there should be real doubts over him making England’s World Cup squad.
Striker: Joao Pedro
It’s frustrating to have to choose Joao Pedro over Sesko, but there’s no way you can leave the Brazilian out of the team. Many had reservations over his £60m move to Stamford Bridge from Brighton last summer.
Pedro has been in red-hot form, finding the net 14 times and providing eight assists in 32 league games. He’s outscored Sesko and, unfortunately, outperformed the Slovenian too.
Left Wing: Matheus Cunha
United swooped for Matheus Cunha the very first day of the summer transfer window, triggering the £62.5m release clause in his Wolverhampton Wanderers contract. He has been a joy to watch since arriving at the Theatre of Dreams, causing problems whenever on the ball and also off of it.
Chelsea signed two left wingers last summer including Alejandro Garnacho for £40m from the Reds. But the Blues are reportedly already considering offloading the Argentine winger amid a dissapointing start to his Stamford Bridge career.
