Putting together the Chelsea vs Manchester United predicted lineups for this massive game on Saturday were not easy given the injuries, lack of form and pressure both Xabi Alonso and Michael Carrick have had to deal with.

This Halloween clash at Stamford Bridge will be looking a bit frightful (sorry) for both, but especially Carrick as United have spiraled to big defeats in recent weeks and he badly needs a positive reaction from his players as he’s clinging to his job.

Chelsea boss Alonso is still new to his job but is already under scrutiny after a poor performance in their home loss to Spurs last weekend, and the midweek defeat at much-changed Liverpool in the League Cup.

Below we take a look at the Chelsea vs Manchester United predicted lineups, list a possible XI to start the game and the tactics both Alonso and Carrick could deploy.

Chelsea predicted lineup

——- Penders ——-

—- Acheampong —- Colwill —- Hato —-

—— Neto —- Henderson —- Caicedo —- Gusto ——

—- Palmer —- Rogers ——

——- Welbeck ——-

It seems like center back Maxene Lacroix is out for a period of time, so Jorrel Hato (if he’s fit) could start at center back with Wesley Fofana having a tough outing in midweek. Both Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto should be good to go and Alonso will need their experience on the left side of the midfield in his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. With Joao Pedro still out injured it seems like veteran Danny Welbeck will start up top again with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers underneath him. It didn’t work when Alonso tried to change things too much in attack against Spurs so we can expect Palmer and Rogers to play in their usual roles behind a target man. Romeo Lavia, Marco Palestra and Emanuel Emegha are all likely to play big minutes off the bench, while Estevao is itching for the opportunity to impress and could play a big role late on if the game opens up.

Manchester United predicted lineup

——- Lammens ——

—- Yoro —- Maguire —- Martinez ——

—— Mazraoui —— Baleba —- Tielemans —— Dalot ——

—— Fernandes —- Cunha ——

——- Mbeumo ——-

Going to a hybrid back three system, which became a back four when out of possession, worked well at Leeds in a recent draw and it seems sensible that Carrick would go for this approach to match up Chelsea in their system and go man-for-man. Leny Yoro is more comfortable in a three, and Lisandro Martinez should come back in as the left-sided center back. Noussair Mazraoui may come in at right wing-back to offer more defensive cover compared to Amad Diallo, while Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans in midfield seems like the right balance. If Bruno Fernandes does comes straight back into the team lining him up alongside Matheus Cunha as a duo behind Bryan Mbeumo would be very wise. They possess real quality and when they’re on it that trio can make the most of chances on the counter and Chelsea have looked particularly susceptible in those situations. Bringing on Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford off the bench late in this game also feels like a very good plan.