- Manchester United face Chelsea
- Match starts at 8PM UK GMT
- Team news and prediction
Manchester United continue their season against Chelsea tonight (April 18th), and it’s a match with massive implications on the top-five race. A bruising 2-1 loss to Leeds United on Monday has thrown the Reds’ hopes of Champions League qualification into jeopardy.
Liam Rosenior’s Blues haven’t fared much better as of late, losing 3-0 to Manchester City last time out. The hosts have lost all of their last three league outings and sit sixth, seven points behind United.
Michael Carrick has been handed a nightmare ahead of the game with defensive issues to address. He will be making plenty of changes to the team that suffered just a second defeat since he replaced Ruben Amorim.
Chelsea vs Manchester United – How to Watch
Tonight’s game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and HBO Max for viewers in the UK. The game kicks off at 20:00 PM BST, so make sure to tune in before if you want to catch TNT’s pre-match coverage.
For viewers in the USA, you can catch the game at 3:00 PM ET on Peacock.
Where to watch Chelsea vs Manchester United:
| Region: | Channel: | Time: |
| UK | TNT Sports | 20:00 PM |
| USA | Peacock | 3:00 PM |
| Australia | Stan Sport | 5:00 AM |
| Canada | Fubo Canada | 3:00 PM |
| India | JioStar | 12:30 AM |
| South Africa | SuperSport | 9:00 PM |
| Malaysia | Astro | 3:00 AM |
| Middle East | beIN Sports MENA | 10:00 PM |
Team News
Carrick will have a new duo in central defence because he is without Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, who are both suspended. Appeals over their respective bans were upheld by the FA and Martinez will serve the first of a three-match suspension.
There was even worse news on Friday evening when it was revealed that Leny Yoro hadn’t travelled for the game. The French defender has sustained an injury, and there are concerns he might not play for the rest of the season.
Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu remain on the sidelines, although Dorgu is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury. De Ligt’s situation is a worry as he hasn’t played since December due to a back problem.
The good news is that Kobbie Mainoo is fit and has made Carrick’s squad for the game. The English midfielder missed the defeat to Leeds but is back for the Chelsea clash.
Expected XI
Senne Lammens will undoubtedly continue between the sticks, and his calm presence could help the changed defence in front of him. It will probably be Noussair Mazraoui starting at right-back despite struggling in the Leeds loss.
Ayden Heaven looks set to start his first game since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim. The young English defender will partner Luke Shaw who takes up a centre-back role for the first time since performing the role in Amorim’s back three.
That means Diogo Dalot is used as a makeshift left-back and he’ll be tasked with trying to keep Cole Palmer quiet. The Portuguese came on for Mazraoui against Leeds but didn’t travel to Dublin for a four-day training camp last week due to illness.
With Mainoo available it seems likely he will return to the starting lineup. He was sorely missed on Monday night and Manuel Ugarte put in a really dissapointing performance.
Casemiro will be keen to have Mainoo back alongside him in the middle of the park. The Brazilian frustrated without a ball-playing profile next to him.
Bruno Fernandes continues to chase the Premier League assist record and he’ll start just ahead of those two. He needs to be at his best against a Chelsea side with European aspirations.
One big decision Carrick has to make is in attack. Does he continue with Benjamin Sesko leading the line?
Sesko’s best work has come off the bench and there is a feeling the Slovenian will be benched for Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian should lead the line with Amad on the right and Matheus Cunha on the left.
Manchester United Expected XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw, Dalot; Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes; Amad, Mbeumo, Cunha
Prediction
Carrick’s biggest game of the season thus far sees him come up against an under-pressure Rosenior. Both know each other well from their time managing in the EFL Championship.
While a win would probably seal a return to the Champions League, most Reds would take a point. Given the defensive problems that have taken hold that’s how we see this panning out.
Chelsea will probably take the lead before United respond in the second half, with Sesko off the bench.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
