When Manchester United play Chelsea, you don't usually need to add much of an edge. Since Chelsea won their first Premier League title in 2005, these two have been champions 10 times in 13 seasons: only the money of Manchester City and the miracle ofLeicester have kept it from being a clean sweep.
But of course, there is an edge this time. Feuds between Jose Mourinho and other managers can have a pantomime feel, like boxers who pretend to hate each other in the name of hype, but there is most certainly something extra this time: Mourinho and Antonio Conte genuinely do not like each other.
Half an eye will be on the touchline but the important stuff will be on the pitch.
What’s the team news?
The Reds were without Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Sevilla but were boosted by the return of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford as substitutes on Wednesday night. However, the Reds look to be without Ander Herrera after the midfielder sustained a recurrence of a muscle injury early on in midweek. Eric Bailly could also make his 50th appearance for the club and his first start since our last game against Chelsea on 5 November. Meanwhile, for Chelsea, midfield duo Ross Barkley and Tiemoue Bakayoko remain doubts as they are recovering from a hamstring injury and a knock respectively but Alvaro Morata is available again.
How are Chelsea doing?
After an indifferent start to the season with 13 points from their first eight games, Chelsea and boss Antonio Conte have been under pressure again in recent weeks, following consecutive league defeats against Bournemouth and Watford at the start of the month. However, their last two outings might have galvanised their season after a comfortable 4-0 Emirates FA Cup fifth-round win against Hull City and a well-deserved 1-1 draw against Barcelona on Tuesday. Sitting one point clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and a point below third-placed Liverpool, Conte’s side will be keen to maintain the pressure on the teams around them in a tough week, with a trip to leaders Manchester City to come next.
What happened last time we played Chelsea?
The previous clash between the sides was back in early November and saw the Reds’ long run without a win at Stamford Bridge continue. After showing some promise in an even first half, United fell to a 1-0 defeat with Morata heading home a Cesar Azpilicueta cross in the 55th minute.
What’s our overall record against Chelsea like?
History shows the Reds are leading the head-to-head record comfortably, with 73 wins to Chelsea’s 52 from 178 meetings. The sides have drawn 53 times before and, prior to last season’s impressive victory, the previous three league meetings at Old Trafford had ended in draws.
One to watch:
Having scored three goals in Chelsea’s last two games, Willian is in fine form heading into his 10th match against United. He put in an exceptional performance on Tuesday night, using his pace and strength against Barcelona. The Brazilian forward hit the woodwork twice in the first half before scoring with a brilliant low finish against the five-time European champions and the Reds defence will have to be alert to ensure he doesn’t score against United for the first time on Sunday.
Mourinho’s record v Chelsea:
The boss has had mixed results when coming up against his former club. During his Treble-winning season at Inter Milan in 2010, he beat the Blues in both legs of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16-tie. During his time as United manager, the Blues have won the sides’ three meetings at Stamford Bridge but the Reds prevailed 2-0 in the only encounter at Old Trafford last season.
Did you know?
The Reds will hope to maintain their excellent defensive record of late, which has seen us keep nine clean sheets in the last 11 games in all competitions. United have also kept a total of 23 clean sheets overall this season, which is three more than any other Premier League team.
Who’s the referee?
Martin Atkinson will take charge of his fourth United game of the season, having officiated our 4-0 home win against West Ham on the opening weekend
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