WHO: Manchester United vs Chelsea
Contents: English Premier League
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, UK
When: Saturday, August 20th, 5:30pm (16:30 GMT)
How to Follow: Before the live text commentary stream, there is all accumulation at Al Jazeera Sport from 2:30 PM (13:30 GMT).
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Manchester United manager Reuben Amorim said this week the discussion with club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe was not a critical meeting despite the poor start of the season.
United have only scored four points from four Premier League matches and were dumped from the League Cup in embarrassing fashion by Grimsby in tier 4.
Now they face FIFA Club World Cup winner Chelsea in a tough Test in front of their fans at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Amorim has won eight of eight of his 31 Premier League matches since he was in charge in November, but the former sports boss, Lisbon, said Ratcliffe reassured him that United was committed to a long-term project.
“The new deal,” Amorim joked when asked about the subject of a meeting with British billionaire Ratcliffe.
“No, that’s normal. Just show support and explain it to you that it’s a long project.”
United finished 15th in the Premier League last season. This was the final final position on the top flight since 1973-74, blew a chance to compete in the Champions League, which lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Despite the disastrous consequences, Amorim just needs to be more ruthless at both ends of the pitch, repeating his belief that United is improving.
“It’s football at the club and there’s probably more pressure in the world, but we want to win,” he added.
“I think last year I was very critical of the way we played. I think we need to be more aggressive with the box until the box is protected and attacked. We need to be more clinical.
“I think the rest is improving compared to last year. I think we’re in a better place. But again, we need to win. It’s a problem that we’re losing to Arsenal and (Manchester) city, and here we’re losing in the first place after last season.”
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– Premier League (@premierleague) September 19, 2025
There’s never a good time to face Man UTD for Chelsea
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faces the difficult task of ending a 12-year drought at Old Trafford, and the Italians on Friday insisted that there is never a good time to stand up to them despite their early seasonal struggles.
Chelsea has not tasted a victory for United in the Premier League since Juan Mata’s late winner in May 2013, but Fixture has the unwelcome distinction that it is the most portrayed encounter in Premier League history with 27 deadlocks.
While fifth-placed Chelsea hopes to extend their undefeated league start to five games, United are 14th with one win, while Maresca is wary of the threat posed by the side of smart Reuben Amorim from a 3-0 weekend derby defeat.
“It’s always been difficult to play United at Old Trafford. It’s not the right moment. Next year or last year, it’s always difficult,” Maresca told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game.
“Some of the games they played this season aren’t real results. Even the Man City game were in the game until 1-0, 2-0. At 0-0, they had some chances to score.
“When you struggle, there’s a desire to win the next game. Against Chelsea, at home, in front of the fans, that’s all why this game is important to them.”
One Chelsea player who knows Old Trafford is Alejandro Garnacho, and Maresca said his signature of £40 million ($54 million) is ready after coming off the bench in the previous two games.
“In the last two games, he was very good when he came in. I’m happy with the way he adapts to our style and what we want from the winger. I think he’s ready to start,” Maresca said.
Garnacho also has points to prove after the Argentinian was one of five players who frozen from Amorim’s team before departure. Maresca said that if United fans give him a hard time, the players must suppress his emotions.
“It’s always difficult…but you have to learn to handle these things,” Maresca added.
Manchester United Team News
Mason Mount and Matthew Cunha are again available for United after the injury.
Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are both on the sidelines with knocks.
Chelsea Team News
Cole Palmer is available despite England International holding the gro caliber in Wednesday’s defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Palmer got his first start after a gro caliber injury, scoring in a 3-1 loss.
“Cole is fine. We have a session. We’re back yesterday (Thursday). We need to evaluate some players. We have doubts,” Maresca said. “We’ve not had a session since Wednesday’s game, but I know.”
Mykhaylo Mudryk has been suspended for the match after being charged by the Football Association on suspicion of doping violations. Levi Colwill, Liam Delap, Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo all missed injuries.
The predicted starting lineup for Manchester United
Lanmen; Yoro, de ligt, Shaw; Mazrawi, Casemiro, Fernandez, Dolgu. Mbeumo, Amad; Sesco
Chelsea’s starting lineup has been predicted
Sanchez; James, Charova, Toshin, Kukurera. Fernandez, Kaycedo; Neto, Palmer, Garnacho. Pedro
