Mauricio Pochettino, the manager of Chelsea, will be hoping that his young team can continue to gain momentum after overcoming Brighton on Sunday despite playing with just 10 men. Pochettino’s team won 3-2, but Conor Gallagher’s first-half red card made it difficult for the Blues to hold onto a rare home victory.

Considering the animosity surrounding his departure, Robert Sanchez will be encouraged by a victory over his old team, Brighton. Though there are still doubts about his potential as a top-tier Premier League goalkeeper, he is currently Chelsea’s first choice.

Defenders: James, Silva, Badiashile, Colwill

One of the two replacements will probably be Captain Reece James. The right-back is back in action after serving a 10-day suspension for his red card against Newcastle.

Benoit Badiashile has had a great start to his comeback for Chelsea and will undoubtedly continue. Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill will battle it out for the starting left back position.

Midfielders: Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer

The most difficult situation for Pochettino concerns his three-man midfield. Due to Gallagher’s suspension, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and the England star—his regular trio—will be affected by suspension for the second time in three games.

Following Gallagher’s departure, Cole Palmer took up a more pivotal role, and he may do so once more against United. Although his natural position is on the right wing, the England U21 attacker seemed at ease in the center of the field at Stamford Bridge.

He will fit into midfield perfectly because of his ability to drive at a defensive that is on edge and receive the ball on the half turn.

Attackers: Sterling, Jackson, Mudryk

Palmer’s inside move might provide Mykhaylo Mudryk multiple starts. Almost a year has passed since the winger’s £88 million move to Shakhtar Donetsk, and his career at Chelsea hasn’t exactly taken off. He could win them over with a victorious performance versus United.

More goals from Nicolas Jackson would also be possible. With the exception of a hat-trick against a nine-man Tottenham team, the forward has not looked well in a Chelsea shirt and could lose his spot in January to an excellent No 9. A win at Old Trafford might convince the Stamford Bridge administration to focus their energies elsewhere.