Chelsea v Man Utd preview: Alonso sweats on Lacroix as Carrick’s United seek to end winless run
Chelsea v Man Utd at Stamford Bridge: Xabi Alonso waits on Maxence Lacroix while Michael Carrick's United try to end an eight-game winless run.
Chelsea v Man Utd on Saturday lunchtime pits Xabi Alonso’s stuttering side against a Manchester United team that has gone eight matches without a win and sits just a point above the drop zone.
Main image: DSN graphic.
Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is 12:30 UK time, with Peter Bankes the referee. Both clubs arrive bruised. Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham last weekend and were then knocked out of the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Wednesday, beaten 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
United’s slump is deeper. Michael Carrick’s side have lost 4-1 at Como and 2-0 to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League during the run, and were beaten 3-0 at home by Bournemouth last time out in the league.
Chelsea v Man Utd: the key numbers
| Chelsea | Man Utd | |
|---|---|---|
| League points (8 games) | 13 | 7 (16th) |
| Last six league games | W2 D1 L3 | W0 D4 L2 |
| Last result | L 0-2 v Tottenham | L 0-3 v Bournemouth |
| Kick-off (UK) | Saturday 31 October, 12:30, Stamford Bridge | |
Lacroix doubt as Palmer returns
Maxence Lacroix is the big worry for the hosts. The centre-back felt his hamstring at Anfield and was replaced before half-time. “Unfortunately, he felt something in his hamstring and we need a couple of days to check what the injury’s going to be,” Alonso said afterwards. Sports Mole expects Wesley Fofana to step in.
Moisés Caicedo and Malo Gusto also came off at Liverpool, but Alonso played it down: “Moi had little problems. Malo as well – he had cramps.” Reece James (knee), João Pedro (thigh), Emiliano Martínez (jaw) and Jamie Gittens (ankle) are listed as absent, while Pep Chavarria is a doubt.
The good news is Cole Palmer. He served his suspension for the sending-off against Spurs in the cup tie and is available again. With João Pedro out, Palmer could drift into a false nine role that has changed attacking football.
Fernandes back for Carrick’s United
Bruno Fernandes is expected to return after being left as an unused substitute against Bournemouth. The captain appeared to question his manager’s tactics after the Como defeat, but Carrick insisted the decision was made for “pure football” reasons and said Fernandes remains “fully committed” to the club.
Our sister site DGBN has covered happier days for the pair, when Carrick praised a Fernandes hat-trick that sparked a comeback against Ipswich in August.
Kobbie Mainoo is back in training after missing four games. “Kobbie has done a little bit of training yesterday,” Carrick said on Thursday, stopping short of confirming he will feature. Benjamin Šeško (shin), Manuel Ugarte (knee), Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are out, and Marcus Rashford is a doubt with a hip problem.
What’s at stake
For Alonso, a home win would steady things after a damaging week and keep Chelsea in the chasing pack near the top. Alonso called the cup exit “a small setback” in “probably the least important competition for us”, but a third defeat in a row would be harder to wave away.
For Carrick, the pressure is far greater. Another defeat could leave United in the bottom three by Saturday night, depending on results elsewhere. The club’s women’s side have shown the way recently, with Man Utd Women grinding out a 1-0 win over Liverpool.
It is a big weekend across Europe too: Ligue 1 leaders PSG are on the road tonight in our Le Havre v PSG preview.
