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Chelsea vs Manchester United predicted XI: Ighalo expected to feature

By Prathamesh Murugesan

Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) and Chelsea's English head coach Frank Lampard gesture during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on October 30, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United's Norwegian manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) and Chelsea's English head coach Frank Lampard gesture during the English League Cup fourth round football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on October 30, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 29: David de Gea of Manchester United looks on during the Carabao Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on January 29, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 29: David de Gea of Manchester United looks on during the Carabao Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium on January 29, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

Manchester United face yet another litmus test on Monday when they travel to Stamford Bridge, a stadium where they’ve traditionally struggled to win.

Marcus Rashford scored a stunning free-kick winner to knock Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup last time out, but United will be without their number 10 this time due to injury.

New signing Bruno Fernandes is in line to make his first away start for the club after impressing fans and critics with his performance against Wolves at Old Trafford.

Manchester City’s Champions League ban may have made it easier for United to qualify for Europe now, but Ole Gunnar Solskjær will still be eager to finish in the top 4 in his first full season as United boss. Mauricio Pochettino is also incessantly being linked with the Old Trafford job.

While Chelsea will be missing important players like Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Monday night’s game will also come too early for United’s Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe and Paul Pogba.

With Solskjær dropping a hint that Ighalo could make his first appearance, let’s take a look at the Red Devils’ probable starting XI for the match:

GK: David de Gea

David de Gea has come under heavy criticism over the last couple of years thanks to some high-profile errors, but the Spaniard has slowly been returning to his best this season.

In previous matches against City and Wolves, the 29-year-old pulled off some mind-bending saves, making his case for being Spain’s number 1 at the 2020 Euros ahead of Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The two Spanish keepers will go head-to-head on Monday, and Luis Enrique will surely be keeping a close eye on the duo.

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