Manchester United v Chelsea preview: David de Gea set to return against league leader
United have not lost in the league since a 4-0 defeat
to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in October, winning 11 games and picking up
10 draws.
The match also sees Jose Mourinho host his former side for
the first time as United boss, having lost both games to Chelsea already this
season - conceding five goals and scoring none.
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And while United are looking to end their worst-ever PL run
against Chelsea (D4 L4), Antonio Conte's side are chasing much more than just a
rare double over Sunday's opponents.
Victory at Old Trafford would take Conte one step closer to
a league triumph in his first season in England, while it would also dent
United's hopes of a top-four finish.
Team news
David de Gea is set to return to the Manchester United's
starting line-up.
The goalkeeper missed last weekend's trip to Sunderland with
a minor injury and was an unused substitute in the midweek trip to Anderlecht.
Wayne Rooney (ankle) and Ashley Young (groin) trained before
that match so will be hoping to prove themselves fit for Sunday, but Phil Jones
(foot), Chris Smalling (knee) and Juan Mata (groin) are out.
In this week's Premier League Vault, we look back to May
2005 when Chelsea came from behind to beat Manchester United 3-1
Conte should have a fully-fit squad for the trip to Old
Trafford.
Wing-back Victor Moses returned from a toe injury against
Bournemouth last Saturday and came through unscathed.
Conte could therefore name an unchanged side from the 3-1
win at Dean Court.
Opta stats
Manchester United are without a win in eight Premier League
games against Chelsea (D4 L4); their longest ever winless streak against a
single opponent in the competition.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to achieve a league double
over Manchester United for the first time since the 2009/10 season under Carlo
Ancelotti.
A win for the away side would see Antonio Conte become the
fourth Chelsea boss to record a Premier League double over the United, after
Glenn Hoddle in 1993/94, Jose Mourinho in 2004/05 and the aforementioned
Ancelotti in 2009/10.
United have scored just three goals in their last 10 games
against Chelsea in all competitions (an average of 0.3 per game).
N'Golo Kante has netted each of Chelsea's last two goals
against the Reds in all competitions - they are his only goals in 34
appearances for Conte's side.
United's Premier League unbeaten run now stands at 21
matches (W11 D10 L0) - the joint 10th longest unbeaten run in the history of
the competition.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been involved in 18 goals in his last
17 Premier League appearances (13 goals, 5 assists) for United.
Merson's prediction
A big game. I can see Chelsea dropping points considering
what happened to Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
Some fans had a bit of a go and he will make it difficult
for his old club.
It should be a good battle between Kante and Paul Pogba in
midfield. They are very different players, though, and I don't think it's fair
to compare the two.
Pogba will be a success. At the moment he's a young kid
carrying a big price tag. You judge him next season and if he has a shocker
then it's different.
Ibrahimovic is the slight favourite in
the first goalscorer betting at 4/1, closely
followed by 9/2 shot Diego Costa, while Eden Hazard is sure to be popular at
6/1 to net first.
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