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Chelsea v Manchester United LIVE commentary: Michael Carrick faces date with destiny in huge Premier League clash

Michael Carrick faces a must-win clash to save his job as Manchester United take on Chelsea this Saturday lunchtime.

United are without a Premier League win since August and have slipped to 16th in the top-flight table, just one point above the relegation zone.

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Man United manager Michael Carrick
Carrick knows he must win this weekend

The Red Devils were hammered at Old Trafford by Bournemouth last time out with Carrick under immense pressure.

The club have decided to stay with him for now but he faces a daunting run of fixtures, starting with a trip to Chelsea.

The Blues are fifth in the table but suffered a derby day defeat to Tottenham last weekend.

Xabi Alonso has had a mixed start to his tenure - with only two teams in the Premier League scoring more than Chelsea so far this term but also only two teams conceding more.

This is a classic top-flight fixture and there will be plenty on the line this weekend, live on talkSPORT.

Chelsea v Manchester United live commentary

This top-flight clash will take place on Saturday, October 31.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 12:30pm.

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game, with Reshmin Chowdhury, Sam Matterface and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso in the technical area at Stamford Bridge
Alonso's Chelsea have been a mixed bag this season

Listen talkSPORT through the website or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app, whilst talkSPORT is also available to watch on Samsung TV Plus.

Subscribe to the talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT on X.

For the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event, visit talkSPORT BET.

The match will also be shown on TNT Sports 1 from 11am.

Chelsea v Manchester United team news

Chelsea will be able to call upon Cole Palmer, who is available after serving his one-match suspension in the Carabao Cup against Liverpool in midweek. 

The Blues will be without striker Joao Pedro, who is recovering from a thigh injury. 

Chelsea captain Reece James also remains sidelined following knee surgery, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is recovering from a fractured jaw. 

Maxence Lacroix is a fresh injury concern after suffering a suspected hamstring problem against Liverpool.

United have received a boost with Kobbie Mainoo returning to training but Benjamin Sesko is out until the new year. 

Carrick is also expected to be without Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte, while Marcus Rashford remains a doubt with a hip problem. 

Bruno Fernandes could return to the starting line-up after being left on the bench against Bournemouth.

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Harry Maguire of Manchester United warms up before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Hull City and Manchester United at MKM Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Hull, England
Maguire has called for more from his United team-mates

Premier League Matchweek 9 fixtures

Saturday, October 31

  • Chelsea v Manchester United, 12:30 - LIVE on talkSPORT
  • Bournemouth v Leeds United,15:00
  • Brentford v Nottingham Forest, 15:00
  • Coventry City v Sunderland, 15:00
  • Hull City v Ipswich Town, 15:00
  • Manchester City v Brighton, 15:00
  • Tottenham v Crystal Palace, 17:30
  • Aston Villa v Fulham, 20:00 - LIVE on talkSPORT

Sunday, November 1

  • Liverpool v Arsenal, 16:30

Monday, November 2

  • Newcastle v Everton, 20:00 - LIVE on talkSPORT

Chelsea v Manchester United: What has been said?

United centre-back Harry Maguire insists the squad are ‘fully behind’ Carrick but admits ‘something has got to change quickly’.

Following the defeat to Bournemouth, he said: "We are very disappointed. Obviously we wanted to get a performance coming into the game. We wanted to get a win for our fans.

"If you look at the team, there's a bit of a confidence issue at the moment. The results haven't been good enough. The performances haven't been good enough.

"We have to look at ourselves individually. We have to find something within ourselves to bring more to the team.

"When times are tough, you have to do the basics well - and conceding a simple set-play like that is nowhere near good enough.

"We have to stick together as a collective. We can still have a good season but something has got to change quickly. It has been a disappointing start, there's no doubt about that.

"We are fully behind Michael Carrick. He came into the team last season and turned our season around with a third-place finish and Champions League football.

"We just aren't playing well enough as individuals."

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