Man Utd vs Chelsea predictions: Goals guaranteed at Old Trafford

Tom McGarry
Spotlight
  
Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in interim charge of Manchester United again on Sunday
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- Manchester United began the weekend sitting 14th in the standings
- Chelsea are averaging more than two goals per game in the league
- Recommended bet:
Over 3.5 goals

Manchester United's first Premier League match since the departure of Erik ten Hag sees them take on Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

It has been all change in the red half of Manchester over recent days, with Ten Hag having been relieved of his duties following last weekend's defeat at West Ham.

Ruben Amorim has been confirmed as the Dutchman's long-term replacement, but he will not officially take charge until later this month, with Ruud van Nistelrooy – who oversaw the midweek Carabao Cup win over Leicester – set to remain in the dugout for the next three games.

The Blues will have been watching the recent goings on at Old Trafford with interest and head into this contest sitting six points above their hosts in the standings.

Team news

United's treatment room is a busy place at the moment, with Antony (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Harry Maguire (calf), Mason Mount (knock), Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot) and Kobbie Mainoo (thigh) all sidelined.

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Christian Eriksen is also a doubt for Sunday's game after sitting out the midweek cup success against Leicester with an unspecified problem.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed he has a near fully-fit squad to choose from, the exception being United loanee Jadon Sancho, who is struggling with illness, but who would not be eligible to face his parent club anyway.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has a near fully-fit squad to choose from this weekend.

The stats

United have scored just eight goals in nine Premier League games this season, only Crystal Palace and Southampton had notched fewer heading into this weekend's action.

The Red Devils have won only two of their last eight top-flight games, although they have triumphed in back-to-back home matches against Brentford in the league and Leicester in the Carabao Cup.

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Chelsea have scored 19 Premier League goals this season, only Manchester City (20) had more heading into the weekend, while the Blues had also notched the most away goals in the division (11) ahead of matchday 10.

The midweek cup defeat at Newcastle ended a run of 13 matches in a row where Chelsea had scored.

Both teams have netted in each of the last six meetings, while Chelsea claimed a thrilling 4-3 victory when they most recently locked horns at Stamford Bridge in April.

The Blues have a poor record at Old Trafford, though, as they have not won there since May 2013 when Sir Alex Ferguson was in the United dugout.

Prediction

Given the upheaval that has taken place at Old Trafford over recent days, it is difficult to pick a winner in this match, but one thing that should be guaranteed is goals.

United may have only netted eight times in the league this season, but with former striker Van Nistelrooy in interim charge, the shackles came off against Leicester as they scored five goals.

Chelsea's scoring prowess has been well documented, but they are without a clean sheet in seven matches across all competitions and question marks remain regarding their defensive stability.

Maresca changed his entire starting XI for the midweek cup defeat at Newcastle, so nothing should be read into their lack of scoring prowess in that game, with the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson set to return on Sunday.

There were seven goals scored when these two sides last met and another high-scoring contest should be expected.

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Premier LeagueManchester UnitedChelsea

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