PREVIEW: Manchester United visit Chelsea in race for Champions League | OneFootball

Manchester United visit Liam Rosenior’s misfiring Chelsea side for a crucial battle in the race to reach the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

The Red Devils travel to North London on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Old Trafford – their first loss on home soil under Carrick – but sit seven points clear of their opponents in third.

A win for the Blues could at best haul them to within a point of Liverpool in the fifth qualification spot, added due to England’s coefficient ranking, but must put an end to a poor run of just one victory in the past six games in all competitions.

United have won three of their last six games, losing two and drawing one under Carrick, who has impressed in his second stint as interim manager and put a strong case forward for staying on a full-time basis heading into next season.

He will be without suspended centre backs Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire, after the former saw red for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair while Maguire was banned for an additional match for improper conduct after his dismissal against Bournemouth last month.

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is a doubt after picking up a knock in training ahead of the clash with Leeds, while Patrick Dorgu remains sidelined through injury.

Matthijs De Ligt has been out with a chronic back injury since November and is likely to be out for the rest of the season.

Hosts Chelsea have struggled to hit top form this season and sit sixth in the table, and face an inferior home record against United of 32 wins from 93 meetings, compared to United’s 36 victories.

In total, the two sides have faced each other 163 times in the English league, with United leading the head-to-head record with 61 wins to Chelsea’s 47, while 51 matches have ended in draws.

Rosenior has faced Carrick on three occasions, winning one, drawing one, and losing one, and is in need of a win to ensure Chelsea do not slide further down the league with Brentford and Everton just a point behind them.

The match will kick off at 8pm BST and will be shown live on TNT Sports 1.