Manchester United vs Chelsea is one tie Premier League fans always look out for when the fixtures are released and with the race for the top-four heating up, Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford has plenty at stake for both sides.
United, despite struggling for cohesion up top, are still second in the league table while Chelsea are just three points behind their rivals.
It’s been a far from ideal campaign for both the big-spending Red Devils and the defending champions as Manchester City have left all trailing in their wake to effectively seal this year’s title.
Thrown in a rejuvenated Liverpool (3rd) and Tottenham Hotspur (5th) in the mix and neither Jose Mourinho nor Antonio Conte (whose bitter feuds is a tantalising sub-plot) can take a top-four spot for granted.
So with the Red Devils set to host the Blues at Old Trafford on Sunday in the highlight Premier League fixture of Matchday 28, The Statesman picks the five players likely to be at the centre of proceedings:
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
With Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini injured, Jose Mourinho has no option but to start Paul Pogba against Chelsea, right?
Wrong, for the Portuguese tactician could still play Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic in the central midfield pivot while calling on the likes of Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez to support Romelu Lukaku up top.
The 21-year-old McTominay has impressed as Pogba has warmed the bench in recent weeks, but the rumour mills are in overdrive as speculation of a rift between the Frenchman and Mourinho continue to do the rounds.
Something is definitely up behind the scenes, as much as Mourinho seeks to deny it and Pogba’s been uncharacteristically quiet on social media as well to add fuel to the fire.
Debates over where United’s record-signing should play are raging all over and it remains to be seen whether the flashy midfielder will be picked for the mega clash at Old Trafford.
Post Alexis Sanchez’s arrival, the Red Devils have not exactly clicked in attack and Mourinho could be tempted to play Pogba in front of McTominay and Matic as then he has the license to go forward unencumbered by defensive duties.
Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Has Andreas Christensen been the standout player at the back for Antonio Conte’s men this season?
Along with Mr Dependable aka Cesar Azpilicueta, the Dane had been almost impeccable right up till that catastrophic error against Barcelona.
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte jumped to the defence of his centre-back in the aftermath of their draw with the Catalans, but the damage was done and how Christensen responds to his mid-week error could make or break his Blues career.
United may not be sizzling in attack, but they do possess plenty of big names and the one player who’ll be raring to go is Romelu Lukaku.
The burly striker’s record against the top-six sides doesn’t make for easy viewing but against his former club, you can bet the Belgian will be itching to prove a point.
Christensen will be tasked with marking the 6’4 Lukaku and that’s a task that easier said than done for their physical battle will make for arresting viewing.
Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
Is Eric Bailly the best defender United have?
Considering some of his teammates’ shambolic performances this season, that’s not saying much but the no-nonsense Ivorian is a fine centre-back and when fit, could be in the conversation for the Premier League’s best defenders.
High praise for a player who’s spent just a season-and-a-half in the English top-flight but big things are expected from 23-year-old and his return is timely as United enter the business end of the season.
With Phil Jones an injury doubt, Chris Smalling is likely to be Bailly’s partner on Sunday and the onus will be on the former Villareal man to show United fans just what they’ve been missing all these months.
Chelsea, like United, have not lit up the pitch with their offensive displays this season but they too possess plenty of match-winners, notably Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata.
The Belgian is expected to return to his role as a winger with Morata back to full fitness and Bailly’s clash with the lanky Spaniard will be one for the ages.
Alvaro Morata (Chelsea)
After a fast start, not unlike Romelu Lukaku at United, Morata’s form has tailed off to such an extent that he’s being labelled a flop already.
So much so, that the club-record signing is no longer a guaranteed starter with new boy Olivier Giroud threatening to snatch his place.
While Eden Hazard has done his best in a false-nine position, the diminutive Belgian thrives when played as a winger or just off the centre-forward and it’s time for Morata to be restored to the lineup.
Niggling injuries have prevented him from realising his true potential but the Spaniard is no longer a talented teenager and has to prove he’s the real deal by firing the Blues to what will be a priceless away victory.
Should he best the likes of Bailly and Smalling, he will have to negotiate a way past the one-man wall that is David de Gea at Old Trafford.
An unenviable task, but if the former Real Madrid man can do it, he will send his critics scurrying back into their caves for a while.
Willian (Chelsea)
With all the fuss surrounding Hazard’s form and Morata’s fitness issues this season, Willian has hardly got any attention.
And after his stellar showing against Barcelona in mid-week, the Brazilian looks like he’s ready to step out of the aforementioned duo’s shadow.
Always a willing runner, the hardworking wideman could have had a hat-trick against the Catalans on another day.
And while every manager would love to have him in their squad, the 29-year-old does go missing for weeks.
His product in the final third has often been found wanting, so can he score in the third game in a row for the first time this season?
Willian possesses all the tools to be placed in the bracket of the best wingers that ply their trade in the English top-flight but consistency is what sets the elite apart from the rest.
United’s defensive style won’t make it easy, but if there’s one player who can provide that spark of ingenuity, it’s Chelsea’s No.22 and his duels with the Red Devils’ fullbacks will be fun to watch, from a neutral’s perspective at least.