Man Utd vs Chelsea: injuries, suspensions, predicted XIs

Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Thursday night. Last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal all but confirmed United’s absence from next season’s Champions League.

Chelsea recorded a late win over West Ham at Stamford Bridge, grabbing the three points thanks to a Christian Pulisic goal.

Man United: injuries and suspensions

United interim boss Ralf Rangnick discussed his squad availability for Thursday. Brazilian midfielder Fred remains sidelined as he has yet to recover from a hip flexor problem. Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho, Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw will also miss out. Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also a doubt with an unspecified issue.

“Fred is unfortunately not yet available,” Rangnick told reporters on Wednesday.

“He tried to train yesterday but after training I had a long conversation with him and he just told me that he doesn’t feel fully fit, he’s not at 100 per cent, and with a player like Fred who’s always committed to give his very best, I don’t think it makes sense, with the muscular injury that he had, to play him too early, because that would mean we take the risk of a re-injury and this is something that I don’t want to do. So he won’t be available unfortunately tomorrow.

“And apart from that we have Harry Maguire who is not available. He has some issues with his knee, not a big thing – some niggle in his knee. He hasn’t been training, neither yesterday or today.

“Paul obviously, Fred, Edinson, Luke Shaw and Jadon – Jadon is ill, he has tonsillitis since yesterday, couldn’t train today and will also be not available tomorrow.”

Chelsea: injuries and suspensions

Antonio Rudiger, who looks set to join Real Madrid, returned to Chelsea’s training ground on Tuesday, after missing the games against Arsenal and West Ham with groin and hamstring injuries. England international Reece James is likely to feature, while Andreas Christensen is still being assessed. Christensen, who is also heading for LaLiga with Barcelona is said to be suffering with stomach cramps.

Left-back Ben Chilwell remains out with a long-term knee injury, while Callum Hudson-Odoi (calf) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle) could return before May’s FA Cup final with Liverpool.

US international Christian Pulisic could get a start after he scored a late winner against West Ham on Sunday.

Man Utd vs Chelsea: possible starting XIs

Man Utd: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; Matic, McTominay; Elanga, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo.

Chelsea: Mendy; James, Silva, Rudiger; Loftus-Cheek, Kanté, Jorginho, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Werner.