Chelsea vs Manchester United preview: Carrick under pressure, Fernandes back as captain, team news and the 200th meeting

Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 31 October at 12:30 GMT, which is 20:30 in Beijing. It is the 200th meeting between the clubs, and it comes at a difficult moment for both: Chelsea have lost their last two home games, and United are without a win in eight matches in all competitions.

Carrick’s position

Michael Carrick’s future was discussed by United’s leadership after the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, and reports in England have linked Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann with the job. For now, Carrick is in charge. “I don’t need assurances from anyone,” he said at his pre-match press conference, adding that his focus is on Chelsea.

He also ended the debate over Bruno Fernandes, who was left on the bench against Bournemouth after criticising the team’s tactics. “He’s the captain of our football club,” Carrick said. According to the BBC, the two spoke privately at the training ground earlier in the week and agreed to move on.

Team news

Chelsea are without Reece James, João Pedro and Maxence Lacroix, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is still recovering from a jaw injury. Moisés Caicedo is available despite going off in the League Cup against Liverpool. Cole Palmer was sent off for a second yellow card against Tottenham last weekend, which normally carries a one-match suspension.

United are without Luke Shaw, Benjamin Šeško, Manuel Ugarte and Patrick Dorgu. Kobbie Mainoo has returned to training after a knock, but Marcus Rashford is unlikely to be involved.

Form

United are 16th with seven points from eight games, one point above the relegation zone, in their worst league start in 40 years. They lost 4-1 at Como in the Champions League and 3-0 at home to Bournemouth in their last two games. Chelsea are fifth on 13 points but lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham in the league and then went out of the League Cup on penalties at Liverpool after a 1-1 draw.

Head-to-head

According to Al Jazeera’s figures, the clubs have met 199 times since December 1905, with United winning 82, Chelsea 56 and 61 draws. United won the most recent meeting 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in April, when Matheus Cunha scored just before half-time.

What to watch

Fernandes’s return: the captain’s performance will be watched as closely as the result. Chelsea’s set-piece defending: Xabi Alonso’s team have conceded eight goals from set pieces in the league, double any other side, an area United will look to target. And Carrick’s team selection: after a week of speculation, the line-up will show how he intends to turn the season around.

What’s next

United host Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday 3 November. Our data preview for Chelsea vs Manchester United, with both teams’ numbers this season, is on the SportPulses previews page.