'The superior team here': Chris Sutton predicts scoreline of Manchester United v Chelsea clash on Sunday
Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of his first Premier League game as Chelsea head to Old Trafford on Sunday. With...
Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge of his first Premier League game as Chelsea head to Old Trafford on Sunday.
With Ruben Amorim set to take charge on 11 November, the Manchester United legend will manage the Red Devils for their next three games ahead of the international break.
Manchester United are up against a Chelsea side whose form has been up and down in recent weeks and lost to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup last time out.
The Blues will have to be mindful of the Red Devils’ ‘new manager bounce’, even if it involves a caretaker coach, as Van Nistelrooy won 5-2 against Leicester in the Carabao Cup.
Chris Sutton has now predicted how Manchester United and Chelsea will fare in Sunday’s 4:30pm kick-off.
Chris Sutton backs Manchester United for 1-1 draw with Chelsea
Sutton, writing on BBC Sport, backed the Red Devils and the Blues to play out a 1-1 draw, even if he felt Enzo Maresca’s charges would be “the superior team”.
“It looks like Ruben Amorim will be the new Manchester United manager but will not be arriving for a few weeks,” wrote Sutton.
“In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy is in charge as interim boss and he enjoyed himself against Leicester in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
“The Chelsea players will be well-rested because their team that lost to Newcastle in the same competition on Wednesday was totally different to the side that beat the Magpies in the league on Sunday.
“But Newcastle did create chances against them last weekend and, when I saw Chelsea against Liverpool recently, they were brave at Anfield too.
“I see Chelsea as being the superior team here and my head tells me they will win, but if they are quite open again at Old Trafford then that could suit Manchester United and let them get something.”
READ MORE: Simon Jordan states the biggest challenge Ruben Amorim is about to face at Manchester United
Manchester United v Chelsea team news
Van Nistelrooy did not provide any injury updates at his Thursday press conference.
However, BBC Sport speculated that Anthony, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro are likely to all be unavailable once again.
All seven players missed Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win against Leicester.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their trip to Old Trafford, with only Jadon Sancho out as he is ineligible to play against his parent club.
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