Manchester United host league leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford as the business end of the season draws near. Join The Roar from 1am AEST for all the action.
United will be out for revenge at home as they take on Chelsea who were the last side in the league to beat them.
Antonio Conte’s men handed Jose Mourinho and his outfit a thorough 4-0 thrashing in October last year.
It was a miserable home-coming for the Portuguese manager, and he will be eager to inflict damage upon his old club’s title aspirations this time around.
Since their defeat to Crystal Palace, Chelsea have bounced back impressively claiming victories over Manchester City and Bournemouth.
Meanwhile, United have tasted victory in the league just once in that time, which was last week’s routine win over Sunderland.
Before that, the story of their season has shown no signs of ending early as they trudged to frustrating draws with both Everton and West Brom.
Jose Mourinho’s men are currently on a 21-game unbeaten run in the league. However, they have won just 11 of those matches.
A massive 18 points separates the two sides in the table as a result, with draws at home to the likes of Burnley significantly impacting their league position.
United sit in fifth place, four points off one of the prized top four spots, and with games in hand.
Their run-in is possibly the most difficult out of all their rivals though as the fight for Champions League qualification hots up.
Firstly, they square off against the league leaders on Sunday, while they then face a difficult away day to Burnley, before rounding it all off with matches against City, Arsenal and Tottenham. It is an undeniably huge month in the league for United.
Following their midweek draw with Anderlecht in the Europa League, Mourinho labelled his side’s attack as “sloppy”.
They will clearly have to improve in front of goal if they are to stand any chance of defeating a Chelsea team who boast the third best defensive record around.
More importantly, United will also have to address the dreadful run which they are currently on against their London rival.
They haven’t beaten them in any of their last nine league games, in a run which stretches back over four years. It is their longest ever winless sequence against any team in the league.
World-record signing Paul Pogba will be a key man for United in this quest to halt this bad run. The Frenchman has visibly struggled in Manchester this year though, so far failing to reach the heights he did at Juventus.
He has tried to dictate his team’s attacking play, but his tendency to shoot, and shoot often, has frequently been to his and his side’s detriment.
Pogba has registered 43 shots off-target this campaign, which is the worst of any player in the league this year.
In team news, Chelsea enter into the matchup with a clean bill of health. Conte will have a fully fit squad to choose from, but judging by his campaign so far, consistency is key.
Consequently, the same team which lined up against Bournemouth last week is expected to start here once again.
United, on the other hand, have a number of injuries to contend with. Juan Mata was ruled out for the rest of the season during the week, while the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling remain on the sidelines.
Wayne Rooney may be fit enough to return after an ankle injury, while in rare good news David De Gea may be in line for a recall after missing the last two games.
Three of the six PFA Players’ Player of the Season nominees will be on show on at Old Trafford, as Chelsea look to keep their lead in the table intact over Tottenham.
Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante will be as vital as ever to their team’s chances, while United’s talismanic, and age-defying, Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be keen to propel his side closer towards a top four position.
Join The Roar from 1am AEST for all the action.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
The most impressive display from a United team in quite some time that, as they defeat the league leaders in what was a comfortable manner in the end. Rashford got his side off to the perfect early start as he slotted home after Herrera had slice open Chelsea's defence. He handled the ball in the build up to the goal, but the referee missed it. United dominated the opening half from there, and should have possibly gone into the break with a greater lead. Lingard and Rashford in particular posing all sorts of problems to the likes of David Luiz and Zuma. Diego Costa toiled away at the other end but cut a frustrated figure as Chelsea's attack never really got going. Hazard was marked out of the game, and without him Conte's side looked toothless. Chelsea now hold just a four point lead over Spurs as the season races towards an exciting conclusion. Meanwhile, United are well and truly still in the race for a top four position.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
FT: United 2-0 Chelsea
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
90: Four minutes added on as the game is petering out. Ibrahimovic is booked fot delaying a Chelsea free kick, before he then earns one for his side in the centre circle. United 2-0 Chelsea
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
89: Fabregas goes in wildly on Carrick and United's players quickly surround the ref. It is just a yellow in the end for the former Barcelona man.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
86: Hazard tries to slip in Costa after some neat interplay in the centre circle, but the striker is flagged for offside. It has not been his, nor his team's, day today. Only a few minutes plus stoppage time remaining at a jubilant Old Trafford. United 2-0 Chelsea
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
84: Loftus Cheek comes on for Zouma who didn't fare too badly considering he was only drafted into the side during the final moments before kick off. Chelsea are running out of time to salvage anything.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
82: Ibrahimovic has come up against a Conte managed side on five separate occasions. He has yet to score a goal against them. The Big Swede is in brilliant form though as he has been involved in 18 goals in his last 17 league matches. (13 goals and five assists). He replaces Rashford who has been absolutely brilliant and gets a standing ovation as he walks off. United 2-0 Chelsea
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
80: It's into the final ten minutes at Old Trafford. Young has his third shot of the game after winning back the ball for his side. His shooting boots must have been left at home today. Ibrahimovic is going to come on for the final stages.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
78: It's like the final rounds of a heavyweight boxing match this now. Both sides are out on their feet and the game is stretched and scrappy. There could still be a goal more left in this yet.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
75: Rojo is given a yellow for tugging back the shirt of his best mate Costa. The resulting free kick from Fabregas is terrible as it sails straight to De Gea.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
74: One time too many for Herrera, as he is booked for a foul on Hazard. He is livid about it. Chelsea loose possession straight away though after a lazy flick by Pedro. It isn't long until they get it back and restart their attack
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
71: A rare and sustained bit of attacking pressure from Chelsea as they work it around the box. It goes through a number of passes before Pedro blasts a cross pretty much straight into De Gea's hands. That was bread and butter stuff for him. United 2-0 Chelsea
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Chance! Rashford bursts through a few challenges as he enters into the box before testing Begovic. Great run and strength shown by the striker. Great reactions from the keeper.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
67:Herrera and Costa have a little wrestle before a corner is delivered. Then hen it is whipped in the two go at it again as the ball bounces to Costa- Herrera with a terrific tackle to stop the shot though. Matic is replaced by Willian. Conte is really going for some goals now.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
65: On the touchline, Conte looks like a man who has been told some particularly bad news. It may have something to do with Spurs being only four points behind in half an hour, unless his side get themselves back into this game quickly.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
Chance! Chelsea are caught on the ball and United break with pace. That man Rashford takes a few steps before letting a shot off from 20 yards out. The net ripples and the crowd go up, but it is just the side netting.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
60: Lingard is replaced by Carrick, which means Rashford may be leading the line on his own for the next little while. Just before that Pedro just missed getting on the end of a cross.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
58: From a Fabregas free kick Costa manages to get in behind, but he cant bring the ball under control and it dribbles through to De Gea. United are looking to take the sting out of the game by controlling the ball, while Chelsea are pushing further forward in search of a reply. United 2-0 Chelsea
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
56: A formation change for Chelsea as they switch to four at the back. Zouma takes up the right back position, which United could look to exploit as he has very little experience playing there.
Mark Molyneux
Roar Guru
54: Conte reacts to going two behind by brining on Fabregas for Moses. The Spaniard will provide more control in the middle of the park but it is their defence which has struggled most so far. They have looked off the pace and ill-equipped to deal with Rashfrod and Lingard's pace.