Manchester United vs Chelsea: Match Preview & Prediction

Manchester United are all set to host Chelsea in the pivotal fixture of the opening weekend of the Premier League 2019-2020. Will the Red Devils start their new season with a win?

Well, it looks possible, but the win won’t come easily as one can’t take Chelsea lightly in any season. However, the blues have Frank Lampard as their newly appointed manager, and we don’t know how the players going to perform under the former Chelsea player.

United and Chelsea had a good pre-season, but the defensive issues still exist for both sides. Also, with David Luiz transfer to Arsenal on the deadline day made the Blues defense line vulnerable.

The Red Devils, on the other hand, signed Harry Maguire from Leicester City for a record fee making the Englishman most expensive defender in the world. Even though Maguire is quite solid at the back, he will take some time to adapt to the new game plan.

Chelsea have failed to win a single fixture out of their last six meetings with United at Old Trafford. However, the poor performance of the Red Devils in the last season would provide the Blues much-needed confidence before going into this fixture.

Battles to look out for:

Marcus Rashford vs Kurt Zouma

After the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan on the deadline day. One thing that became clear is that Marcus Rashford will lead the attacking line of Manchester United.

The Englishman scored 10 goals and provided six assists in his 33 league appearances for United in the last season. The stats aren’t that impressive, but we must understand that Rashford didn’t play at one particular position throughout the season.

Kurt Zouma, on the other hand, will be the barrier between Rashford and the goal. The French defender has a brilliant opportunity to make his name in the world of football. With Luiz, no more part of the Chelsea, Zouma is going to start for the Blues.

The 24-year-old defender made 1.7 interceptions per game along with 3.8 clearances in his 32 league appearances for Chelsea in last season.

Both the young players have the opportunity to make their name and help their side in winning the fixture. However, one has to lose, and it will be interesting to see who ends on the top, tomorrow.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka vs Christian Pulisic

The battle between the two new signings. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has already proved himself worthy in the Premier League after giving back to back brilliant performances for Crystal Palace in the last season. However, the pressure of playing at a big club and justifying the transfer fees is a big task for the 21-year-old defender.

The numbers of Bissaka from the last season justifies why United paid so much for a young defender. The Englishman made 3.7 tackles per game along with 3.7 clearances in his 35 league appearances for Crystal Palace in the last season.

Christian Pulisic will have to work hard to get past the Bissaka on the left-wing. This is going to be a first Premier League season for the 20-year-old winger.

The Blues bought him from Borussia Dortmund last year, but he is supposed to make his English league debut against United, tomorrow. A long-term injury kept Pulisic out for most of the last season. The American winger scored four goals and provided four assists in 20 appearances for Borussia Dortmund in the last season.

It is going to be a big game for both the youngsters as they will step on the ground with a mentality of proving themselves worthy of big English clubs.

Prediction

The two sides have quite talented players in their respective squads. Manchester United have splashed £140m to strengthen their squad for the new season. Chelsea, on the other hand, were struck by a transfer ban but this allowed their young players to prove themselves.

Both the sides have great attacking line-up. So, I’m expecting a bit of firework at Old Trafford, tomorrow. The only thing that will separate the two sides is going to be their backline. The team with better defensive performance is going to end on top.

As of now the two new additions, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Maguire in the backline of United make them look balanced. However, it is a new challenge for the two players and the pressure of performance is going to be there.

So, after considering everything. I believe that United will get better of Chelsea, tomorrow. The reason being their solid record against the Blues at home. Also, the Red Devils’ backline looks better than the visitors.

Score Prediction - Manchester United 2 – 1 Chelsea