Chris Knows: Chelsea vs Manchester United Prediction & More

Manchester United’s Premier League campaign continues to lurch from disaster to disaster. Their form has been dreadful, and the team sits just one point above the relegation zone after eight matches.

Next on the calendar for the Reds is a trip to Stamford Bridge, where they face Chelsea on Halloween. All evidence points towards a scary afternoon for United, especially following the mutiny that occurred in the stands at Old Trafford after their 3-0 humbling at the hands of Bournemouth.

Michael Carrick remains in his role, for now, although this feels more like a temporary measure that highlights the lack of competence above the manager at Manchester United.

Chelsea, on the other hand, are living through a miniature crisis of their own.

Whilst the season had started relatively well under Xabi Alonso, their two dire performances against Spurs and Liverpool over the last week have created a very palpable level of concern.

The Blues are in touching distance of the title race, but Alonso really needs to bounce back with a victory on Saturday.

Is All Hope Lost for Manchester United?

There will be very few gamblers amongst us who will tip Manchester United to even take a point from Stamford Bridge, let alone a victory.

Not only is the weight of the team’s current plight fighting against them, but their history at Chelsea’s ground is really not that impressive either.

United’s 1-0 victory at the Bridge last season was just their third Premier League win at that stadium since 2003.

It remains to be seen which players Carrick can call upon for this match.

Bruno Fernandes was an unused substitute against Bournemouth, whilst Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu’s absences leave a huge hole at left-back.

Carlos Baleba is set to continue in midfield, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see his partnership with Kobbie Mainoo in full flow, with the English midfielder still battling a knock.

Chelsea have problems of their own. Joao Pedro is set to be on the sidelines for a number of weeks, leaving Alonso without his main centre-forward.

Danny Welbeck seemed like a last resort against Spurs, and Alonso will need to find an answer to this problem.

For all the talk about United’s calamities, Alonso isn’t on steady ground. Chelsea fans rarely tolerate defeats to Tottenham, and previous managers have seen their tenures snowball into disaster rather quickly after a damaging result.

Galvanising those players is something Alonso will need to do before Saturday’s game. The worst thing the Blues could do would be to underestimate Manchester United, even with the visitors at such a low moment.

Carrick can’t afford another defeat, although there are suspicions that a decision has already been taken over his future and results won’t impact that call.

His team selection will be incredibly interesting, especially after it appeared he can’t rely on a number of senior players. Will we see a raft of eager youngsters come into the squad and potentially stun Chelsea? It’s not impossible.

Chris’ Pick

It’s really difficult to predict what you’re going to see from a Manchester United team at the moment. I can’t see them winning anywhere at present.

Chelsea’s frailties are there to be poked at, but United aren’t clinical enough.

I think this could be another bad, bad day for Michael Carrick, and I think a lot of supporters share that fear.

Chelsea’s goalscoring options are limited, but I can see Alonso taking the handbrake off Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. Having either of them score at any time is an interesting choice.

You could also go with Chelsea to win both halves @ 4/1 with Bet365.