There are three changes Rúben Amorim needs to make as Manchester United host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United welcome Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
United have endured a poor start to the season, taking just four points from their opening four matches. A stoppage-time victory over Burnley offered some respite, but they remain 14th in the table – their worst opening to a campaign since 1992/93.
Rúben Amorim’s side arrive on the back of a damaging 3-0 defeat to Manchester City. Despite showing intent early in both halves, United failed to create meaningful openings, with striker Benjamin Šeško receiving little service. The pressure on Amorim is beginning to grow.
The game will also see Alejandro Garnacho make his Old Trafford return, following his £40 million move to Chelsea last month after being cast aside by Amorim.
Amorim must make changes vs Chelsea
Following the 3-0 loss to City, a result that’s tough for fans to swallow, many are expecting Amorim to make several changes to his starting XI, including starting new goalkeeper Senne Lammens over Altay Bayındır, who has failed to instil confidence in United’s back line.
Meanwhile, after Luke Shaw received criticism for his lack of concentration and poor performance last weekend, it’s thought Amorim may choose to revamp his back line. With Lisandro Martínez still injured, Leny Yoro is the club’s best option to replace him.
Harry Maguire has only started once this season and has been a substitute in all Premier League fixtures, but may be slotted into the starting XI to replace Matthijs de Ligt, with Amorim possibly aiming for more leadership. Naturally, Noussair Mazraoui would then slip in on the right of the back three.
As for the wing-backs, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu looks likely to start as he remains the only senior left wing-back in the squad, while Amad could be moved from the left attacking role back to his role on the right flank.
In midfield is where the first significant change comes. There has been intense criticism about playing Bruno Fernandes depeer and Kobbie Mainoo on the bench, but with Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount out of action, Fernandes is the obvious third choice for the left of attack.
Mainoo would then be able to join the starting XI in his place, with Casemiro the likely player alongside the 20-year-old after Manuel Ugarte received criticisms for his display at the Etihad Stadium.
With Fernandes hopefully playing on the left of the front three, Šeško is the obvious candidate to play up front, with Bryan Mbeumo on the right.
While Šeško is yet to score for United this season, the Old Trafford fixture provides a perfect chance for the Slovenian international to bag his first for his new club in front of a home crowd, particularly with the defensive frailties they showed against Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.
United predicted XI vs Chelsea
Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Amad, Casemiro, Mainoo, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Šeško, Fernandes.
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