An injury-hit Manchester United will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat at Old Trafford this evening as they host Chelsea.
With their hopes of a top-four finish all-but over following defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal last week, United can ill-afford another slip-up this evening as their season threatens to fizzle out. With just four games remaining, they still face a battle to claim a European place for next season.
While many will be counting down the days until Erik ten Hag arrives as manager, fans will still be eager to have something to cheer in their final four games of the season. With injuries taking their toll though, another difficult night could be in store for the Reds.
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Chelsea, meanwhile, have endured indifferent form in recent weeks, although they will travel to Old Trafford on a high after securing a place in the FA Cup final, and beating West Ham on Sunday. But what do the pundits think? Below, MEN Sport has taken a look at what they have had to say.
Michael Owen - BetVictor
"That defeat to Arsenal has all but ended United’s season," Owen told BetVictor. "I actually thought United played quite well in the game and looked a threat going forward. They conceded some soft goals though, and now I worry how serious the squad will view this game.
"Chelsea had so much of the ball and so many shots against West Ham, but it was a struggle to get the opening goal. They did get a late winner, but Tuchel will want his side to be more ruthless."
Prediction: United 0-1 Chelsea
Paul Merson - Sportskeeda
"Considering everything that's happened on and off the pitch, Chelsea have performed reasonably well this time around and will look to tighten their grip on third place, while they also have an FA Cup final against Liverpool to look forward to," Merson told Sportskeeda.
"Manchester United, though, have capitulated spectacularly this season and are running out of time to save their season. As they prepare to face Chelsea, they know that anything less than a win will do no good to their fading hopes of a top-four finish.
"As I've said time and again this season, you never quite know what you're going to get with Manchester United. To be fair to them, I thought they played well against Arsenal despite losing and if Bruno Fernandes had scored that penalty, they'd have probably gone on to win.
"Cristiano Ronaldo was fantastic in that game and I felt like it was one of his best ever games for Manchester United since rejoining the club. Chelsea, on the other hand, aren't playing well at all at the moment, but their position in the Premier League top four looks pretty safe at this point in time.
"Manchester United are in a spot of bother and still have a slim chance of securing a UEFA Champions League spot for next season, so they will look to go out there and try to win this game. They have a lot of injuries, though."
Prediction: United 2-2 Chelsea
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