This fixture comes with a sprinkle of hesitation and a side of regret
Ruben Amorim’s embattled Manchester United welcome the lofty Londoners for an evening of profligacy, misplaced passes, standing on the touchline and watching it not go according to plan, and then later standing in front of the media to explain why it didn’t go according to plan.
Chelsea have not won at Old Trafford in the Premier League since May 2013, when a deflected strike from Juan Mata handed the Blues victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s table-toppers. It’s been 12 years. Will that record be extended for a further year?
Enzo Maresca will be aiming for a positive result but his side are hardly firing on all fronts. The lacklustre draw against Crystal Palace was followed by a demolition of West Ham, but the Blues then had a VAR-assisted victory against Fulham, drew against Brentford, and then struggled for breath against Bayern Munich in midweek.
Alejandro Garnacho will be returning to Old Trafford to face his former side. Amorim will be lustfully eyeing up Maresca’s vigorous midfield (That’s right. Show off those legs, Moises). And in the stands administrators can relax as the “Chelsea rent boy” chant is unlikely to be heard, with Blues and ex-Blues on both sides, after Amorim cleared Mason Mount for a return to the pitch.
Team News
Diogo Dalot is still out with a muscle injury sustained during the international break, and Lisandro Martinez is a long-term absentee, but Mount and Matheus Cunha are fit and available.
The latter’s direct running was missed in the crash against Manchester City but if he starts on Saturday it should inspire hope of a morale-boosting victory for the home side.
In the visiting camp, Liam Delap is unavailable after an unfortunate hamstring injury applied some brakes to a career that was zooming down the runway. Levi Colwill is also unavailable long term, but Marc Guiu and Cole Palmer are all right.
Garnacho could start a game he’ll be motivated to do well in, but Maresca could also consider handing a start to Estevao instead. Rotations could be a factor in the Italian’s selection, as Chelsea played on Wednesday, which means United have had a few more days of rest.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United predicted lineup vs Chelsea (3-4-3): Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Sesko, Amad
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Date: Saturday, 20 September 2025
Kick-off Time: 17.30pm BST / 13.30pm ET
Manchester United vs Chelsea Match Prediction
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
