Manchester United: Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte go to battle again

Manchester United host Chelsea today in a crucial Premier League fixture in the race for the ‘Best of the rest’ title.

It’s red vs blue with a bit more spice than usual. Chelsea have become a bit of a bogey side for Manchester United over recent years. The Red Devils have only won one in 14, that win coming last season.

Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte have been at each other hammer and tongue over the past few months. The childish squabbles first started when Conte sprinted up and down the touchline after Chelsea’s 4th goal, in a 4-0 win over United last season. Jose was not impressed.

Ever since, the two managers haven’t stopped. Mostly initiated by the Portuguese I must add. But from clowns to convicts, we’ve heard it all. It will nice for the talking to finally stop and these two tactical geniuses to do battle on the pitch.

Chelsea form

Chelsea’s form in 2018 has not been what they would have liked. Conte’s side have only won five in 13 and two of those have been against Championship sides in the FA Cup. They even had to wait until penalties before they defeated Norwich too.

Compare this to how they started 2017 before going onto winning the title. After the same amount of games Chelsea had won 10 games out of 13, the only loss coming against a Spurs side on fire.

With the pace of Hazard, Willian and Pedro on the break Chelsea’s away record is the third best in the league. They’ve also been impressive at the other end of the pitch too. Conceding the second least amount of goals on the road too with 13.

Manchester United  form

Contrary to their opponents, United have been most impressive at home this season. However, their record against the top five sides as caught the attention of most. Jose Mourinho has managed to muster up seven points from 18 with some pretty dismal performances to match. A record which must improve in order to challenge for the title next season.

However, United have gone six games without defeat at home and have also only lost twice in 13 matches. Jose Mourinho will be hoping he can replicate last seasons stand out performance against the Blues this time around.

Manchester United’s recent record and performance on Wednesday night proves they are hard to beat. Not against the top five though. A performance today with attacking intent would send out a big message across the league.

Team news

Manchester United CONFIRMED team: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Lindelof, Young, McTominay, Matic, Pogba, Martial, Lukaku, Sanchez.

Chelsea CONFIRMED team: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Moses Drinkwater, Kante, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Morata.

The big headline from the team sheet will be that Paul Pogba starts for Manchester United despite the apparent rift. But this starting XI from Jose shouts out one word to me. Trust.

Mourinho has shown trust in McTominay once again playing the Scot in a crucial fixture. He’s also shown trust that Smalling and Lindelof are a solid centre-half pairing. The trust that Paul Pogba will perform in his ‘favoured’ position.

There are no surprises in the Chelsea starting XI. I expect them to be dangerous on the counter-attack. However, that defensive unit does not look that solid. I also see cracks in that midfield and back three; they can be put under lots of pressure. But, only if Jose instructs his players to put them under pressure and get out the blocks fast.

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The key area

There are so many areas which could be crucial in this game. Although, two players who have always shone against in previous Chelsea victories are Kante and Hazard. If you stop them, you go a long way to winning this game.

It will be interesting to see whether Jose decides to man mark them out of the game, or if we absorb pressure and hit Chelsea on the break.

Not just because they are our best players, but the threesome of Lukaku, Sanchez and Pogba will all have to be on song. If Pogba can perform like he did at Goodison Park in a three, we will create chances. And with Matic and McTominay providing solidarity, I won’t worry.

But also, the link up between Sanchez and Lukaku needs to be firing. The man I’m most concerned for in that duo is the Belgian. Lukaku needs to impose his strength and power on the game, but also match it with his ability on the ball.