Man United play Chelsea in the Premier League tonight and here are five things to look out for at Old Trafford.
Defeat to Newcastle is no disgrace but United’s performance warranted an inquest. Following faithful stories that reflected unflatteringly on Erik ten Hag, the communications director banned journalists from yesterday’s press conference. Someone has brought back the Fergie years.
That will create more noise around United, a dysfunctional club in dire need of structural change. If United beat Chelsea then the communications department’s job will be done for them.
Some journalists feel United have tried to bully them when the players were bullied at St James’ Park. They should look closer to home.
The Newcastle mess was chiefly down to some inexplicable selections by Ten Hag, who bickered with Anthony Martial in the first half and then delayed his inevitable withdrawal until after Newcastle were ahead.
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Jamie O’Hara predicts who is going to win tonight… Manchester United or Chelsea
Man United and Chelsea lock horns on Wednesday night at Old Trafford with three points in the Premier League up for grabs.
The Blues go into the midweek contest 10th in the league table. Meanwhile, United are five points above them in seventh spot.
Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea side are the definition of inconsistent at this moment in time. They’ve got two wins, two draws and two defeats from the previous six league games.
This does feel like a very hard game to call between two giant clubs firmly under the microscope at all times.
Jamie O’Hara has gone on record to tip a United victory over Chelsea later on.
O’Hara told talkSPORT (11:37pm, 5 December): “I’ve gone Man United 2-1. Same old Chelsea, they win one lose one, win one lose one. They’ll still be 10th after the weekend.
There’s some eye-catching individual battles to keep a close eye on this evening at Old Trafford.
United left-winger Alejandro Garnacho, 19, is looking like one of his team’s best players right now. His direct clash with Chelsea captain and right-back Reece James is an exciting one to see.
Elsewhere, can Moises Caicedo come out on top against Bruno Fernandes in a midfield tussle?
Finally, Chelsea’s striker, whether that be Nicolas Jackson or Armando Broja, will face United’s in-form centre-back Harry Maguire. The Chelsea Chronicle has argued that Broja should get the nod at Old Trafford to start on Wednesday night.
You have to go back to 2017 for the last time Chelsea beat United in a league meeting. There’s been five draw in the previous six matches between the top-flight rivals, though
