Man Utd vs Chelsea An Important Fixture for the EPL.. Of course it is. Manchester United take on Chelsea FC at the theatre of dreams, Old Trafford. Not a new headline or story to spark fires in the hearts of soccer lovers but for this season already ravaged by COVID-19 and the lack of spectators in the stadium, this game is super important. Too important that it will define the premier league season.
Chelsea were one of the big spenders of the transfer window so far with the likes of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Harvetz and many more joining the ranks. For Manchester United, it is a different tale as Red Devil fans waited long and hard for a proper super star to join the club. Edison Cavani could make his debut but that news is unconvincing for many United fans.
In fact most see the transfer window activity of their beloved club a disgrace. Ed Woodward and Ole Gunnar have more or less chosen to rely on what they already have and only add a backup plan should in case injuries and fatigue become an issue.
Manchester United are looking to win three consecutive league games against Chelsea for the first time since September 1965. Last season Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side secured their first league double over Chelsea since 1987/88, winning 4-0 and 2-0.
So far this season Manchester united have notched 6 points from 4 matches, losing two in the process. For the visitors, Chelsea have played 5 matches, won 2, lost 2 and drawn one. So why is this match very important for the English premier league season.
Here are some reasons why Man Utd vs Chelsea is An Important Fixture for the EPL
Both teams have a different contract in terms of what is expected of them at the end of the season. Both teams want to win the league but know that a top four finish is almost as good as winning the league considering all the metrics and their recent outings.
Both teams should win the league since it has been a tug of war between them for the last decade. Fans are no longer surprised about both teams’ performances and it would be a shock if they do win the league.
Whoever wins this fixture today would prove that they are ready to fight for a top 4 finish while the loser has to go back to the drawing board in the case of Chelsea or buy more players come January transfer window in the case of Man United.
Both teams have the player personnel to win the league but as already seen, lack the commitment and zeal to push for a victory in games played so far. Do not let the spooks fool you simply because of their UEFA champions league results. Judging a team based on one game is useless especially for these two.
STATS to Support Why this is an Important Fixture for the EPL
United are winless in their last four at Old Trafford in the Premier League and were certainly not deserving of victory against Southampton, West Ham, Crystal Palace or Tottenham. Chelsea’s record in M16, once respectable in the early years of the Premier League era, is dismal: two wins in the last 13 and their last triumph was in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match before news of his retirement emerged.
Chelsea’s last victory at Old Trafford was in May 2013 when Juan Mata’s 87th-minute goal secured all three points for the Blues. Their last two wins against Man United came in the FA Cup – the 2018 final and last season’s semi-final.
Eric Bailly and Jesse Lingard are sidelined for ‘weeks’ but the United squad is so sizeable Solskjaer must lament the Premier League’s decision to have reduced benches back down to seven players.
Chelsea now have close to a full-strength squad to choose from, with Billy Gilmour and Kepa Arrizabalaga the only absentees after Mendy returned ahead of schedule against Sevilla.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Mendy; James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell; Jorginho, Kante; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic; Werner
Sports fans what is your take?