Two underperforming Premier League heavyweights will lock horns at Old Trafford on Wednesday night as Manchester United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford in a blockbuster midweek cracker.
Chelsea are currently in 10th place in the Premier League standings and have not been impressive this season. The Blues edged Brighton & Hove Albion to a crucial 3-2 victory in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this weekend.
Manc United, on the other hand, are in seventh place in the Premier League at the moment and have failed to meet expectations this season. The Red Devils slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United over the weekend and will need to bounce back in this fixture.
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Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino said: “Is it a good time to play Manchester United? No, I think the time is the time, we cannot change that.
“It’s always good to play at Old Trafford because it’s an amazing place. We are all at a similar level, in different situations, I wouldn’t say it’s a good time to go there.
“We have to be ready to compete because it will be tough, they want to win and we want to keep our momentum and build and be higher up the table.
“It is important for us to be in a different position, we need to go there and win. We have to fight and show character and togetherness.”
Manchester United have blown hot and cold in recent weeks and were uninspiring against Newcastle United. Chelsea are in better form at the moment and should be able to win this game.
The Red Devils’ woes continued in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United over the weekend and Ten Hag reportedly has just three games (including the one on Wednesday night) to save his job.
In his pre-match conference, the Dutch tactician says there is no disorder within the United dressing room ahead of their clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
United are seventh in the Premier League table and on the verge of Champions League elimination, with reports this week suggesting that Ten Hag has lost the confidence of his players.
The Red Devils banned four media outlets shortly before Tuesday’s press conference to preview the midweek Premier League clash against Chelsea.
Asked whether he was concerned there was truth behind reports of player unhappiness, Ten Hag said: “No. Of course, there are always players in every team who are playing less, who are less happy… you have to wait for their chance, and that can come, but there are no issues.”
Asked if he believed he still had the requisite buy-in from his players to be successful, Ten Hag said: “Oh yes, I’m sure.
“But you can see, for instance, the comeback against Brentford, the Burnley game, the Fulham game, so every time the team is there, they showed great character.
“Great determination, resilient, so yeah, we are together.
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Man United have a good historical record against Chelsea and are unbeaten in 11 league games against the Blues since losing 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in November 2017 (W4, D7).
The Blues’ last Premier League win away to United was 1-0 in May 2013. They have drawn six and lost four of their subsequent 10 top-flight fixtures at Old Trafford.
There have been 26 Premier League draws between these sides, the highest total of any fixture in the competition’s history.
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