Three Manchester United first teamers could return vs Chelsea

Can United stave off another crisis?

Defeat to Newcastle is no disgrace but United's performance warranted an inquest. Following faithful stories that reflected unflatteringly on Erik ten Hag, the communications director banned journalists from yesterday's press conference. Someone has brought back the Fergie years.

That will create more noise around United, a dysfunctional club in dire need of structural change. If United beat Chelsea then the communications department's job will be done for them.

Will Ten Hag get his team right?

Some journalists feel United have tried to bully them when the players were bullied at St James' Park. They should look closer to home.

The Newcastle mess was chiefly down to some inexplicable selections by Ten Hag, who bickered with Anthony Martial in the first half and then delayed his inevitable withdrawal until after Newcastle were ahead.

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Martial and Marcus Rashford should not have started at Newcastle and cannot start this evening. Ten Hag has shown ruthlessness with Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea and Jadon Sancho but has not actually dropped Rashford, scorer of one goal from open play in 18 club games, this season. Rasmus Hojlund and Antony have to start.

Time to bring Varane back in?

There have been 62 attempts at United's goal in the last three games alone and their most garlanded defender did not appear in any of them.

Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw have been preferred over Raphael Varane next to Harry Maguire and United still have a minus goal difference in the Premier League and Champions League. Varane is experienced, an organiser and was one of United's best