“I fancy both teams to score” - Alan Shearer predicts result of Manchester United vs Chelsea
Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has predicted Manchester United and Chelsea to play out a draw in their upcoming Premier League fixture. The two sides are set to face each other at Old Trafford on Sunday, November 3.
Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will be hoping to make it two wins in a row across competitions after Manchester United thrashed Leicester 5-2 in their EFL Cup clash midweek. Manchester United are struggling in the Premier League and are currently 14th with 11 points from nine games, which played a part in Erik ten Hag's sacking on Monday (October 28).
On the other hand, Chelsea have made positive strides forward under Enzo Maresca. Despite being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Newcastle in the Round of 16, the Blues are fifth in the league standings with 17 points, just one point behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Shearer reckons Old Trafford will have a renewed sense of belief following Ten Hag's dismissal, writing (via Betfair):
"When a manager leaves and another comes in, there'll be a different atmosphere, a renewed hope and belief at Old Trafford on Sunday, with or without Amorim, especially after Man United scored five goals in the Carabao Cup."
"There'll be more hope going into the game this weekend than there was last week against West Ham and that could really energise the players on the pitch."
He then predicted:
"I was at St James' for Chelsea's trip in midweek, and it was a completely changed team from the league game between the two, and the side he puts out against Man United will be different again."
"It's a tough one to call and probably why I'll go for a score draw. I fancy both teams to score because both teams can improve defensively, and the added detail of a new manager in the dugout at Old Trafford for the first in the Premier League, whether that's Ruben or Ruud, means Man Utd can get something out of this game."
Manchester United statistically have the upper hand over Chelsea in recent times. They are unbeaten in their last 11 home league games against the Blues, winning five and drawing six. The hosts will be aiming to make it three home wins in a row for the first time since January 1957.
"There isn’t an opportunity for him yet" - Jason Cundy believes Chelsea star doesn't start in their best starting XI ahead of Manchester United clash
Former Chelsea centre-back Jason Cundy reckons Christopher Nkunku is nowhere near close to making it into the Blues' best starting XI ahead of their weekend fixture against Manchester United. He has also stated that Nicolas Jackson is ahead in the pecking order but insisted Nkunku will get an opportunity to prove himself.
Jackson has thrived under Enzo Maresca's tutelage this season, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 10 appearances across all competitions. This has led to Nkunku making just one start in the Premier League.
Cundy reckons this won't change against Manchester United on Sunday, stating (via The Chelsea Chronicle):
“Not right now, no. I can’t make a case for it… He’s coming into games where it’s not ideal for an attacker to come on to. What you want to see if him start a game when he’s got [Cole] Palmer behind, [Moises] Caicedo behind him, Reece James in there. Where it’s Chelsea’s best XI. You can’t drop Jackson right now. I feel for Nkunku, but the reality is there isn’t an opportunity for him yet. It will come. There will be a moment.”
Nkunku has also had a good start to the season, netting eight goals in 15 appearances across competitions. However, he has had to settle for a starting position in the EFL Cup and UEFA Conference League.