Who: Chelsea vs Manchester United What: English Premier League Where: Stamford Bridge in London, UK When: Saturday, October 31 at 12:30 pm (12:30 GMT) How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will have all the build-up from 9:30 GMT With Manchester United fans awaiting news of Michael Carrick’s sacking this week, an unexpected show of patience has given the under-fire boss new life. Recommended stories list of 4 articlesend of listWhen Carrick was photographed driving towards United’s Carrington training base on Monday – just 24 hours after a miserable 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth – it was widely expected that he would be sacked within hours. Instead, the United hierarchy pulled off a major surprise by retaining Carrick, at least for now. 2024 remains in doubt. United have been in miserable form and sit just one point above the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s trip to fifth-placed Chelsea. Without a win in eight games in all competitions, and off to their worst league start in 40 years, United must beat Chelsea to help Carrick avoid the axe. But with captain Bruno Fernandes dropped last weekend after criticizing Carrick’s tactics and defender Lisandro Martínez fined for criticizing the club’s transfer policy, Carrick’s team is far from united. What’s the latest news on Fernandes’ fallout with Carrick? What Carrick called a “pure football” decision to drop Fernandes backfired as United imploded and fell to 16th place, with the forlorn Portuguese watching from the bench, a defeat that piled more pressure on Carrick, even as fans cheered the manager while booing the team. Fernandes was benched after criticizing United’s tactics following the 4-1 thrashing of Como in the Champions League, leaving Carrick facing a dilemma ahead of the Chelsea clash. Should he continue to sideline his captain or call up his most creative player after United badly missed his influence against Bournemouth? The defeat left United with seven points from eight games. Despite winning England’s Player of the Year award last season, Fernandes has struggled for fitness this campaign, but United looked even more toothless without their playmaker orchestrating play from midfield on Sunday. “It was a decision based on what we felt was right for the game. That’s all,” Carrick said at a news conference on Thursday. “Bruno is totally committed to this football club and there is absolutely no problem. We move forward, we make decisions as we go “My responsibility is to the players… Of course we have spoken. We have meetings. “We are suffering because we haven’t won enough football games, but there is an intensity, an edge, a hunger to do better,” Carrick added. What is the Estevao debate at Chelsea ahead of the visit of Manchester United? this season after the Brazilian midfielder spent Wednesday’s League Cup defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on the bench. Blues fans spent much of the 1-1 draw, which led to a 6-5 defeat on penalties, chanting the name of Estevao, 19, while warming up against them for 47 minutes in the Premier League this season, with his two starts in the League Cup “We started with Pedro (Neto), with Danny (Welbeck) and with Morgan (Rogers) up front,” said Alonso. “The game had very intense moments. We knew it was going to be physical. “And after we had to deal with Moi (Caicedo), he had few problems. Bad (Gusto), he also had cramps. So we were a little forced with the substitutions.” Estevao’s lack of action in the match was in stark contrast to when he grabbed the headlines by scoring the winning goal against Liverpool in their Premier League clash last October. “I understand (Estevao’s) situation and he could surely be happier. He wants to play and be part of the team,” Alonso said of a player who cost £29 million ($39 million) when Chelsea signed him from Palmeiras in 2024, although he only joined them a year later. “There will be moments for everything. I am sure that Este will have its moments, that is my responsibility. “We know that the season is going to be long and there will be moments for everyone. Believe me, Este is going to play his part.” The 19-year-old’s lack of game time has made Alonso the subject of scrutiny, especially given the Blues’ exit from the League Cup following a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last week. When asked at a press conference if Estevao could go out on loan, Alonso said: “There are no discussions about that.” The season is long and there will be moments for everyone. It’s a process for him. team, for Este, for me. “But I am sure that in the season he will have his games, his minutes. And we’re still at the beginning of the season, but he’ll be there. “It’s no secret that all the players want to be on the pitch; they want to play. “And when one of them hasn’t had enough minutes because of my decision, I have to take responsibility for that, for them not being as happy as they could be.” April clash. When did Chelsea last beat Man United? Chelsea lost home and away to United last season, but won the previous season’s battle at Stamford Bridge. Marc Cucurella’s 77th-minute goal was the only goal of the game in May 2025. Prediction: Chelsea vs Man United Opta’s supercomputer has given Chelsea a 53 per cent chance of winning the match, while only giving United a 23.5 per cent chance of claiming all three points Head to Head: Chelsea vs Man United This will be the 200th meeting between the clubs in a match dating back to December 1905 – a goalless draw in Manchester in the old Division Two (now the Championship). United have won 82 of the matches, while Chelsea have been victorious on 56 occasions and there have been 61 draws Chelsea team news Chelsea have a long injury list with striker Joao Pedro and captain Reece James out, while defender Maxence Lacroix is also expected to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury suffered in Wednesday’s defeat at Anfield. “Max has been injured and we hope he won’t be ready before the international break (November 9-17),” Alonso said. “He will be out for a few weeks.” There was better news on midfielder Moisés Caicedo, who is available despite being sent off against Liverpool with a minor problem. Goalkeeper Emi Martínez is also missing, but could return before the international break as he recovers from a jaw injury. next week, but there is a chance. Should he (Martinez) be ready to play, he will probably need a mask,” Alonso said. Chelsea Predicted Lineup Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Henderson, Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, RogersManchester United Team NewsKobbie Mainoo has resumed training after a knock, but the match is likely to come too soon for Marcus Rashford’s return. Still confirmed are Luke Shaw, Benjamin Sesko, Manuel Ugarte and Patrick Dorgu will miss.Predicted Manchester United lineupLammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martínez, Dalot;
