Frank Lampard and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer shake hands.

Chelsea v United: Opposition preview

Friday 14 February 2020 15:00

Manchester United face Chelsea on Monday night, as the Reds look to extend our strong recent record at Stamford Bridge.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have already tasted success in West London this season, thanks to our excellent 2-1 Carabao Cup victory in October.

That’s one of six matches the Blues have lost at home in all competitions this year and Frank Lampard’s men have actually been beaten at the Bridge more times in 2019/20 than they have away from home.

The Reds will be hoping to put a serious dent in Chelsea’s top-four aspirations when we lock horns on Monday and, ahead of the game, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about our upcoming opponents...   
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The Reds put Chelsea to the sword on the opening day of the season.
TEAM NEWS

Christian Pulisic has missed the last six fixtures in all competitions with an unspecified injury and Lampard has confirmed he won't feature on Monday. Midfielder Reuben Loftus-Cheek is also unlikely to feature at the Bridge as he continues to build up his recovery from an Achilles injury which has kept him out for the entirety of the season to date. Meanwhile, Tammy Abraham, who was replaced last time out against Leicester City with a suspected injury, should be available. Lampard’s big selection dilemma ahead of Monday is whether to recall goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, or again opt for Willy Caballero, as he did at the King Power Stadium.
FORM GUIDE

Chelsea’s recent results have been patchy with just two wins from their last seven league games, which has seen their lead over their top-four rivals tumble in the last few weeks. The Blues have also not won in any of the last three Premier League clashes, with their most-recent victory coming on 11 January, when Chelsea beat Burnley 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. However, wins on home soil have come at a premium for the Blues this season, who have picked up three points in just five of the 12 league games they’ve hosted in 2019/20. The Blues are 10th in the home standings this term, having lost to the likes of Southampton, Bournemouth and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.
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Check out every Premier League goal we've ever scored at Stamford Bridge.
OUR RECORD AGAINST CHELSEA

Solskjaer is unbeaten in four games against the Blues since taking charge at United (winning three and drawing one). The Norwegian has already led us to two victories at the Bridge during his time in the dugout. He followed up our 2-0 Emirates FA Cup fifth-round win in February 2019 with a 2-1 Carabao Cup success in October. This will, however, be Ole’s first trip to Chelsea in the league. The Reds’ last three-point-haul at Stamford Bridge came back in 2012, when Javier Hernandez’s late winner earned us a 3-2 victory. A win on Monday would also give United our maiden Premier League double over Chelsea; the last time we achieved this feat was in the 1987/88 season.
THE MANAGER

Chelsea legend Lampard completed his much-anticipated return to Stamford Bridge in the summer, after guiding Derby County to the Championship play-offs in his first season in management. The Blues’ all-time leading goalscorer will be looking to record his first victory over United as Chelsea manager. The former England International faced the Reds 40 times in his playing career, with the Reds winning 18 of those encounters.
ONE TO WATCH

Chelsea’s hopes of victory on Monday could depend on the form of Abraham. The striker has been the Blues’ leading marksman this season with 13 Premier League goals to his name. Despite that, the 22-year-old has never netted in five previous games against United (two for Chelsea and three for Swansea City) and will be hoping to end that record when the sides meet.

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