Senior Reporter Ben Knapton | April 1, 2024
Manchester United’s Premier League encounter against Chelsea, another struggling superpower, on Thursday night promises to be an interesting trip to Stamford Bridge.
Mason Mount’s goal put Erik ten Hag’s team up against Brentford on Saturday night, but Kristoffer Ajer’s late goal in extra time brought the match to a furious 1-1 draw.
The Red Devils, however, would have been incredibly undeserving to receive three points, and as a result of that draw, they are still sitting in sixth place in the standings, eight points behind Tottenham Hotspur and eleven outside the top four.
Ahead of the match against the Blues, Sports Mole compiles the most recent information on Chelsea’s injuries and suspensions.
Raphael Varane was substituted for the fit-again Harry Maguire at halftime in the draw with Brentford, making him one of Ten Hag’s two new defensive worries. Although Varane’s change was made as a precaution, the Man United manager acknowledged after the game that Varane is now a significant doubt for the midweek match.
Although there has been no official word on Victor Lindelof’s status, he too had to be taken from the match on Saturday midway through the second half due to an undisclosed issue. However, Lisandro Martinez’s return to the Gtech Community Stadium helped to lessen the impact.
Rarely observed left-back Ten Hag has acknowledged that Tyrell Malacia’s recovery from his major knee injury will take some time, stating that it will be “difficult” for the Dutchman to return to action before the season ends.
Due to groin surgery, veteran striker Anthony Martial missed ten weeks of play back in January. However, if his recuperation goes well, he should be back in time for Coventry City’s FA Cup semifinal match later this month.
Ten Hag was optimistic that Luke Shaw, who suffered a thigh injury, would be back in the starting lineup before the season ended prior to the draw with Brentford, but he still has weeks of recovery left.
Altay Bayindir’s availability for this match is uncertain as he recovers from a muscle ailment, although the Turkey international would only be a substitute at Stamford Bridge.
Jonny Evans, another muscle casualty, was also ruled out of the Brentford match over the weekend. The veteran defender will need to be closely monitored in the next few days.
