How Manchester United should line up vs Chelsea in Premier League fixture

Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Thursday night as they welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford. Ralf Rangnick's side still have a mathematical chance of a top-four finish this season, but know victory tonight is crucial in order to do that.

United are unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Chelsea (W3 D5), keeping five clean sheets in that run since a 1-0 loss in May 2013.

In terms of early team news, Fred Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw all remain sidelined while Jadon Sancho and Harry Maguire will also miss the match.

READ MORE: Six Manchester United players ruled out vs Chelsea

Here is how MEN writers think United should line up.

Samuel Luckhurst

David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo are the only United players not starting by default.

Alex Telles has been an atrocious signing and so has Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Alvaro Fernandez is overdue a first-team squad call-up and he merits a start, given the way the senior full-backs have been performing. Raphael Varane was poor for Arsenal's first goal but Harry Maguire is ruled out and should not be immediately recalled anyway.

Nemanja Matic has to continue. Bruno Fernandes should have been dropped at Arsenal, where he was abysmal again. Hannibal Mejbri deserves a full debut.

Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford seem to have been starting every other game and Rangnick has not got a tune out of either of them but Rashford starts as Jadon Sancho is out. Alejandro Garnacho can also come in.

Rich Fay

If United had to select a line up on merit then they'd struggle to fill a five-a-side team based on current form. De Gea deserves to play in goal, but his back line might as well be a tombola given there is no guaranteed formula for success.

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