Man United predicted line-up vs. Chelsea: two key changes made as Cunha, Mount & Dalot battle for fitness
The latest Manchester United team news and predicted line-up ahead of the Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Manchester United will hope to turn a difficult start to the season around when they welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday evening – but under-pressure head coach Ruben Amorim could be without four first-team players for what may prove a challenging match.
Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot and Mason Mount are among the doubts for this weekend thanks to various injuries, and we’ve got all the latest updates on their fitness along with the rest of the team news and our predicted line-up below.
Will Matheus Cunha be fit to play Chelsea?
Summer signing Cunha picked up a hamstring injury during Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Burnley prior to the September international break and missed out on last weekend’s Manchester Derby as a consequence – but Amorim has told the media that the Brazilian is “pushing hard” to be back in time to face Chelsea.
Cunha has been in individual training this week and was further described as being “eager” to be involved in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, and Amorim later confirmed the implication that he would be ready to face Chelsea in his Friday press conference, telling reporters that the Brazilian was fit and available for selection.
One of Cunha’s potential rivals for an attacking midfield spot, Mason Mount, is also available again after a knock sustained shortly before the international break, the exact nature of which was not disclosed.
Diogo Dalot out for Chelsea match
The third and final player who was a doubt to face Chelsea is wing-back Diogo Dalot, who like Cunha and Mount missed the match against local rivals Manchester City after picking up an injury while on duty with Portugal. Ahead of his national side’s matches against Armenia and Hungary, Dalot was sent home due to “muscular discomfort,” the precise nature of which has not been confirmed by United. Amorim confirmed on Friday that Dalot had not recovered in time to play, but he should return soon.
One defender who will certainly miss out in centre-half Lisandro Martínez, who has been missing since February after suffering an ACL injury. There was a positive update on the Argentine’s progress this week, however, with the player posting images on social media which showed him back on grass and jogging in individual training. He is unlikely to be available for selection until November, however.
While United are not understood to have any further injury concerns heading into the weekend, Amorim will still have to consider whether to recall Harry Maguire to the starting line-up to shore up a defence which has conceded five goals in two games. Altay Bayindir is likely to start in goal once more, although new signing Senne Lammens will be pressing for the chance to make his debut.
Full Manchester United predicted line-up vs. Chelsea: Bayindir; Maguire, De Ligt, Yoro; Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Mazraoui; Cunha, Mbeumo, Šeško.