Despite their utterly miserable run of recent form, Manchester United are still just three points behind Chelsea FC for fourth place in the Premier League table, and they host Maurizio Sarri’s team at Old Trafford this Sunday.
Even with a win, United will still be behind the Blues due to the goal differential tie-breaker (unless they somehow win by nine goals or more). Having lost seven of their last nine, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men just need a win in the absolute worst way right now.
“We can’t linger along many years because the Premier League is so competitive you’ll suddenly be caught up,” Solskjaer told the post Manchester derby news conference.
“I’m concerned about lack of results and in times like this it’s not time to point fingers at anyone. We have got to stick together and the strange reality is we’re in a shout for top four.”
“We’re three games away from end of the season, three points behind top four and no one would have given us a chance a few months ago.”
Solskjaer said he hopes he can guide his side to a finish here that doesn’t seem them relegated to Europa League next season.
“We want to get into the top four. We’re not thinking or planning on Thursday nights [in the Europa League]. We’ll have to see on May 12 when it’s done.”
Let’s take a look at the fitness situation for both sides in what is no doubt the headliner fixture of the Premier League weekend. The much maligned Phil Jones is still to return to full match fitness and midfielder Ander Herrera is set to miss out again.
Meanwhile youngster Scott McTominay, who failed a late fitness test ahead of the Manchester derby, could be fit enough to earn a first team assignment here. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been extremely healthy most of this season, but the injury bug has recently taken a big out of the Blues.
Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi ruptured his Achilles in the draw with Burnley at Stamford Bridge in midweek and it appears his season is now over.
Additionally, midfield maestro N’Golo Kante (rib), central defender Antonio Rudiger (knee) and Marcos Alonso (gluteal muscle) could all miss out on the Sunday matinee as well.
Manchester United vs Chelsea FC FYIs
Kickoff- Sunday Apr 28, Old Trafford 430pm
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea Manchester United
Form Guide: Manchester United LLWLW Manchester City DLWWW
Google Result Probability: Chelsea win 35%, Draw 29%, Manchester United win 36%
Prediction- Manchester United 1, Chelsea FC 1
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.