Erik explains team to face Chelsea

The boss has made just one change from the side that beat Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in mid-week, with Christian Eriksen coming into the side to start at Stamford Bridge.

"It was a difficult one because the performance from Fred was magnificent," he told MUTV. "But I also cannot ignore perfect performances over a long period from Christian Eriksen. [He] was even our best player in the first games of the season.

“He will show his distribution, his cleverness to take the right positions and also he sees the passes, the final pass and he can score a goal.”

On the quick turnaround since the match against Spurs, he said: “This team, I really happy with that, they get fitter and fitter and they really work hard for it. They do the right things in recovery and food and you can see you can play every game.”

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Dutchman added: "Our focus is totally on this game. The players are prepared, they are focused, they are concentrated and they are working to get the result.

"We are happy. The whole squad is happy with the performance. And of course, it is an issue with Cris [Ronaldo], because it is a member of the dressing room. An important member. But we are professional, we have to focus on the game. And like I say, they are focused, they are concentrated, and also, they enjoy the training, which is good to see."

Describing the challenge Chelsea will pose, he said: "We know what we have to do. We have to play our game. We know what we have to anticipate. And I think we develop through the season.

"We know how to do it and I think we can do it quite quickly. And I think also we have players on the pitch, they are smart, they are clever. Really quick. And that is good to see."

United: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes (c), Sancho; Rashford.

Substitutes: Heaton, Lindelof, Malacia, Fred, Iqbal, McTominay, Pellistri, Elanga, Garnacho.

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has made a total of four alterations to his team that drew at Brentford last time out.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Raheem Sterling start in attack, while Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell also come into the side.

Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta (c), Silva, Cucurella; Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Jorginho, Chilwell; Sterling, Mount; Aubameyang.

Substitutes: Mendy, Kovacic, Pulisic, Broja, Zakaria, Ziyech, Gallagher, Havertz, Chukwuemeka.