Chelsea’s trip to Manchester United would have had top billing as a Premier League title clash in years gone by, but these two giants of English football have fallen.
At best, Wednesday night's match at Old Trafford is a meeting of clubs trying to qualify for the Champions League.
The turmoil at United has deepened and the build-up has been dominated by reports of a dressing-room revolt against manager Erik ten Hag.
United took the step this week of banning four media outlets and, while Ten Hag insists he still has the backing of his players, pressure on the Dutchman is building.
A 3-2 win for Chelsea over Brighton on Sunday eased the scrutiny on Mauricio Pochettino, with fighting spirit and team cohesion suggesting some slow progress in his rebuild.
It means Chelsea are in a better place coming into the game, as the Blues target another statement away win after their 4-1 victory at Tottenham last month.
Unlike some of the accusations against United, Chelsea at least look like they have a plan. Their young team have defensive frailties, discipline issues, are naive at times and remain inconsistent, but they have a clear style of play under Pochettino.
A summer clear-out means Chelsea are not carrying deadwood, leaving Pochettino with the authority to command respect and build.
In contrast, Ten Hag appears to be surrounded by toxicity, and multiple reports have claimed several players want winger Jadon Sancho back in the team, while others suggest the manager is losing the support of his squad.
Reporters from Sky Sports, the Daily Mirror, Manchester Evening News and ESPN were barred from Ten Hag’s press conference on Tuesday.
United said the measures were taken not due to the stories themselves but because they were not contacted for comment in advance.
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle ended a three-match winning run and left United five points outside the top four. They have suffered 10 defeats in 21 matches this season, conceded 34 goals and could exit the Champions League next Tuesday.
Ten Hag, who is playing more defensive football this season, is hoping for a swift response after the wretched defeat at Newcastle, when he clashed with Anthony Martial, and Marcus Rashford’s attitude and body language came under the spotlight after another poor display.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to purchase a 25 per cent stake in United is expected to be formalised next week. He is expected to oversee a much-needed overhaul of the football operations at Old Trafford, but for now the lack of clarity has just created more even uncertainty.
For all their troubles, United are still picking up points and Chelsea will need to raise their game to overcome them on Wednesday.
"Ten Hag appears to be surrounded by toxicity, with suggestions the manager is losing the support of his squad"
The Blues sit 10 points outside the top four and are in danger of falling out of the race for the Champions League.
Despite the turmoil at United, Pochettino does not believe this is a good time to be playing them.
“I don’t say it’s a good moment to go there. The most important thing is to be ready to compete, because we’re going to face a team that is going to be tough and wants to win,” he said.
“But we want to keep our momentum, build from Brighton and be higher in the table. For us, that’s important. If we want to be in a different position, it’s a game we have to go and try to win.”
Summer signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia, along with 10 other players — including recently injured duo Noni Madueke and Lesley Ugochukwu — remain sidelined, while Conor Gallagher is suspended.
Barring their heavy defeat at Newcastle, Chelsea have fared well in big matches under Pochettino.
Both teams clearly have deficiencies ahead of their meeting on Wednesday, but Chelsea are at least united, unlike their opponents.
