The Sunday FA Cup semi-final clash is expected to feature some fascinating duels. In the three matches already contested by Chelsea and Manchester United in the 2019/20 season, Frank Lampard ‘s young Chelsea team has averaged 60% of possession and out passed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United 1,535 to 939.
Unfortunately for Chelsea, United did the most important part by outscoring their opponents 8-1, winning all three. And with the English Premier League season coming to an end, both teams are chasing the UEFA Champions League, which means that we might describe this FA Cup match as a glamorous diversion.
In those three wins, United ‘s fast attackers have done the most damage, with Marcus Rashford scoring four times; Anthony Martial twice while Daniel James added another. Harry Maguire also scored a header directly from the corner kick.
The Sunday FA Cup semi-final clash is set to feature some exciting duels, some of which are seen below.
Reece James v Marcus Rashford
César Azpilicueta has been used as a substitute left-back, and he will return to this plot against United, whose front three is probably the deadliest in England. This will be a challenge for James, who frequently shows weak commitment levels to keep Rashford quiet – a monumental task for the young fullback. Rashford is in a glorious mood and has scored three goals in seven league games since the restart, but more succinctly two in the last two. He ‘s quick, quick-footed, and able to connect the game, which means that James must be on his alert to help his team put a stop to the danger on the left side of the United.
Kurt Zouma v Anthony Martial
In the center of the attack, two Frenchmen collided with Martial in a razor-sharp shape, looking confident. On his good day, Zouma can suit any attacker for speed and power, but he’s been part of a Chelsea backline that’s continued to ship goals. The first season, as a manager, has shown defensive fragility, evident in his time at the Championship side, Derby, and will advise Zouma not to dive in when Martial has the ball at his feet. Zouma’s poor positioning and timing was one reason why United hammered Chelsea 4-0 on the opening day of the EPL season, but Zouma has a chance to redeem himself and get some revenge.
Jorginho v Bruno Fernandes
The biggest reason for the United 19-game undefeated streak was the Portuguese middleman who scored and scored goals before joining the Solskjaer Revolution in January. In the meantime, Jorginho will start with Chelsea because N’Golo Kante and Billy Gilmour are injured. Jorginho has shown, after joining the Chelsea team, why Kante and Gilmour are ahead of him in their estimation for the defense screening. Against a player like Fernandes, who knows how to find space, particularly around the opposition box, Jorginho will need all his wits around him to put a stop to the dangers that Fernandes can present.
Christian Pulisic v Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The true spark for Chelsea was the American prodigy, Pulisic, after the restart. The 21-year-old looked tired in the last two games, but he’s still going to be a challenge for Wan-Bissaka, who’s a tough, smooth attacker. Pulisic’s going to pull the strings from Chelsea’s left foot, and if he can get his link to Mason Mount on the right, Wan-Bissaka ‘s going to have his attacking nous curbed.
Managers’ Talk
“We have an opportunity, but it is up to the players and ourselves to make the best of it on Sunday. We are playing a very good team – they are in form – we know that…so, there is work to be done.” – Frank Lampard, Chelsea Manager
“It is what it is and these boys they can recover. An occasion like the semi-final at Wembley will give anyone energy.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United Manager
Recent Form: Chelsea [W-L-W-W-L]; Manchester United [W-D-W-W-W]
Head to head
17/02/20 PRL Chelsea 0 – 2 Manchester United
30/10/19 LEC Chelsea 1 – 2 Manchester United
11/08/19 PRL Manchester United 4 – 0 Chelsea
28/04/19 PRL Manchester United 1 – 1 Chelsea
18/02/19 FAC Chelsea 0 – 2 Manchester United
Probable Starting XI
Chelsea [4-2-3-1]: Caballero; James, Zouma, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Kovacic; Mount, Willian, Pulisic; Giroud
Manchester United [4-2-3-1]: Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Fosu-Mensah; Matic, Pogba; Fernandes, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial
