Old Trafford braces itself for a heavyweight clash on Saturday evening as Manchester United, under mounting pressure and led by beleaguered coach Ruben Amorim, host unbeaten Chelsea. Both sides arrive with contrasting momentum: United still searching for stability, Chelsea aiming to rebound from European disappointment.
Manchester United – Fighting to keep faith alive
The Red Devils enter this fixture on the back of a sobering 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City, a result that left Amorim’s record under fierce scrutiny.
United have collected only four points from four games, their worst Premier League start since 1992-93.
Amorim insists he will not abandon his philosophy, but reports of players “losing faith” suggest unrest within the camp. Still, Old Trafford has not been kind to Chelsea of late, and United will cling to their 12-match unbeaten home run in this fixture.
Chelsea – Seeking to bounce back on the road
Chelsea, meanwhile, have made a promising domestic start under Enzo Maresca, taking eight points from their opening four league matches.
The Blues, however, stumbled midweek, losing 3-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League after conceding late to Brentford last weekend.
Maresca’s men have been solid away from home in the league and will look to break their Old Trafford hoodoo, having last tasted Premier League victory there over a decade ago.
Team News
United remain without Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot, though Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount are available again.
The key decision rests in goal, with Amorim weighing whether to debut Senne Lammens or persist with Altay Bayindir. Up front, Bryan Mbeumo is expected to join Amad Diallo and Benjamin Sesko.
Chelsea travel without Romeo Lavia, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and suspended winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. Reece James could return at right-back, pushing Enzo Fernandez deeper, while Cole Palmer is set to occupy the number 10 role.
Recent signing Alejandro Garnacho, who swapped Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge just weeks ago, is pushing to start against his former club.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United (3-4-2-1):
Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Amad, Sesko
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho; Pedro
Match Info
Competition: Premier League
Date: 20 September 2025
Kickoff: 5:30PM (WAT)
Venue: Old Trafford
Referee: Peter Benkes
What’s at Stake
For Manchester United, defeat could push Ruben Amorim closer to the exit, with speculation rife that the October international break may bring change if results do not improve. Chelsea, meanwhile, can use this fixture to underline their top-four credentials and secure consecutive league wins against United for the first time since 2011. Both sides know the stakes are heavy: redemption for the Red Devils, statement of intent for the Blues.
