Predicted Manchester United XI to face Chelsea (Premier League)

Manchester United will look to secure Champions League qualification ahead of the 2023/24 season by hosting Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

With Champions League qualification being the No. 1 priority as Erik ten Hag embarked on an opening season of Premier League football in his career, he will no doubt field a strong XI as the squad face Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Due to Newcastle United‘s 0-0 draw against Leicester City on Monday evening, a win would see Manchester United climb to third in the table with just one fixture of the season remaining.

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It also needs to be considered that this is the first of United’s final two fixtures ahead of their highly-anticipated FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Fresh off securing the Premier League Golden Glove award for this season, David de Gea will no doubt be starting in goal for the Reds.

With his options still limited in the central defensive area, the chances are that De Gea will have the current first-choice duo of Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane. Lindelof has been on inspired form since he was drafted into the XI to replace injured Lisandro Martinez last month.

In the full-back positions, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has seemingly won his place back over fellow right-back Diogo Dalot, who has recently attracted interest from Barcelona.

At left-back, Luke Shaw will no doubt keep his position after being announced in England’s latest international squad.

In midfield will almost certainly see the return of Ten Hag’s ideal trio, with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes once again returning to Old Trafford.

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Casemiro may be the man to watch for the fixture after scoring a late equalising header at Stamford Bridge earlier on in the campaign.

Up front is where the questions lie as to who will start.

While many may pick Anthony Martial as the favourite to start at striker, Ten Hag has recently spoken on his frustration surrounding his lack of availability across the season, and therefore may instead choose to reinstate Marcus Rashford as the spearhead of the attack against Frank Lampard’s side.

Rashford has enjoyed plenty of success against the London outfit in the past, scoring five goals and providing three assists in 16 fixtures across all competitions in his career so far.

This then places the question as to who starts on the left – with the answer being none other than young sensation Alejandro Garnacho. Recently returning to the side after an ankle injury, Garnacho scored off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the last fixture at Old Trafford.

The right-wing spot will likely be filled by Brazilian winger Antony, who Ten Hag regularly trusts to provide flair and a unique dynamic on his favoured side.

Full predicted XI

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Garnacho.