Chelsea vs Manchester United LIVE: Team news from crucial Premier League clash | OneFootball

Chelsea host Manchester United in a crucial Premier League clash with both clubs targeting a spot inside the top four by the end of the season.

The Blues have the more difficult task as they sit seven points behind Aston Villa in fourth and have only won one match from their last seven in the top-flight. Liam Rosenior has also had to handle comments from midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who was dropped from the squad, after he openly courted Real Madrid.

To make matters worse, Chelsea supporters have released an open letter declaring an “erosion of trust” in the ownership and the direction the club is being taken which will be backed up by a protest before tonight’s match.

In contrast, Manchester United are going strong despite a 2-1 defeat to Leeds last time out. It was only the second defeat under Michael Carrick and the interim boss will be hoping to brush that off and get more points on the board as the club look to secure their place in third.

Casemiro's sixth sense

"He's certainly got the knack and the feeling, and that sense in and around the box," Carrick told MUTV about Casemiro.

"He's got that sixth sense, in some ways that you can't necessarily coach or you can't necessarily always give the perfect moment or the action or the run to fit the cross.

"You've got to put yourself in positions and sense the space and then, obviously, on top of that, to finish it and show the composure.

"I think he's certainly done that this season."

(Getty)

Mike Jones18 April 2026 18:30

Man United discover outcome of FA charge on Harry Maguire before Chelsea clash

Harry Maguire will be suspended for Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday after being given a one-match ban for swearing at a fourth official.

It leaves manager Michael Carrick short of available centre-backs for the visit to Stamford Bridge, with Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt also out.

Man United discover outcome of FA charge on Harry Maguire before Chelsea clash

Michael Carrick is now short of defenders for the trip to Chelsea and a key battle in the race for a top five finish

Richard Jolly18 April 2026 18:24

Mount has a future at United

Carrick also touched on the future of Mason Mount at Old Trafford and the head coach believes that there is a future for the midfielder at the club.

He said: “There's definitely a place for him, without a doubt. He's obviously working to get fit and finding that [fitness].

“The other night I thought we actually finished the game to a point where we were having some chances as well, so it was: ‘Did we change it, did we not?’

“There's obviously a decision to be made there, but Mason's got a good future here, so I really don't worry about it.”

Mike Jones18 April 2026 18:18

United to turn to Heaven?

With Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire missing tonight’s game through suspension the most likely replacement at centre-back looks to be Ayden Heaven.

Will he start tonight?

“I think Ayden's in a good place, well I know he's in a good place. He's obviously still young and he's progressing through the early stage of his career really,” Michael Carrick said.

“So, I think it's pretty natural for him to play some games and maybe not some others. He's training really well, he's learning, he's listening, he wants to improve, so I think it's pretty natural for a centre-half of his age, he's probably well ahead of schedule in terms of the games that he's played.

“He's trained well, I've got no worries. He went away and played with England a couple of weeks ago and done well, so yeah, looking forward to the game for sure.”

Manchester United 'disappointed' by Leeds result

Michael Carrick was asked how he and his team have reacted since losing to Leeds on Monday.

“To be honest, there's not much we can react to,” Carrick admitted, “Massively disappointed, of course.

“I think quite a few reasons to be disappointed in a big way over those types of situations over the last three weeks, but obviously now we've got to move on, the decisions have been made, it’s something that we're really disappointed with in many ways, but that's it now.

“We've got to move on and we will do.”

Mike Jones18 April 2026 18:06

Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali reveals significant shift in transfer strategy

Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali has revealed how the club will drastically shift their transfer strategy after growing dissent among supporters.

The Blues are currently in a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League, with fifth the target in the Premier League to secure a berth, despite a remote chance of an extra English team in Europe’s top club competition.

Jack Rathborn18 April 2026 18:00

Chelsea vs Man Utd

Chelsea are targeting a third successive victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 20 years.

The reverse fixture at Old Trafford was one of three Premier League matches this season in which the United goalkeeper recorded zero saves.

However, this is the most drawn fixture in Premier League history – 27 games finishing level since 1992/93.

Mike Jones18 April 2026 17:54

An update on Colwill

Levi Colwill has been on the sidelines for a while as he recovers from injury but Liam Rosenior is hopeful that Chelsea will have the defender back before the end of the season.

“I'm hoping, as Levi is an outstanding player and a leader in the dressing room,” Rosenior said.

“Levi will play some minutes with the Under-21s, which is fantastic for him. When you have a long-term injury, to the extent of Levi’s injury, you need a long rehab period. I want to make sure he is 100 per cent right in terms of his match fitness before we consider him for our first team.

“It [the game] has not been set up especially for him, but it's something that we think is right for him in this moment.”

Mike Jones18 April 2026 17:48

Will Enzo Fernandez feature?

Enzo Fernandez served a two-match ban after comments that signalled he wanted to move to Real Madrid.

The ban was imposed by boss Liam Rosenior but will Fernandez be back in the team tonight?

“Enzo has been with the group and has been training very, very well,' Rosenior said.

“So, it’s business as usual in terms of selection for the game. Enzo has come back to the group this week, and the group has been fantastic.

“In terms of his training, his application to training, Enzo has been fantastic as well.”

Mike Jones18 April 2026 17:42

Chelsea fans to protest against ownership group

Chelsea fans are planning a joint protest with supporters of French club Strasbourg before the Manchester United match on Saturday. Chelsea and Strasbourg are both owned by BlueCo, with supporters of the French club staging protests against their part in a multi-club ownership model.

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said: “Chelsea supporters are not simply asking to win every year. They are asking to recognise the club they have always supported.

“At the moment, too many do not. This erosion of trust is not limited to football matters alone. It extends to how supporters experience the club.”

Mike Jones18 April 2026 17:36