Chelsea will be without a key midfielder against Manchester United when the two teams face off this week.
There is a big clash brewing this week at Old Trafford when Manchester United host Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
Erik ten Hag‘s side are currently five points ahead of Chelsea, and will be looking to extend that gap to eight points with a win.
Manchester United are without key midfielders Casemiro and Christian Eriksen through injury, while Chelsea must now contend with.
Chelsea midfielder suspended
Chelsea midfielder Connor Gallagher is suspended for their fixture away at Manchester United this week, after he was sent off against Brighton for picking up two yellow cards.
Gallagher has been a regular under Pochettino at Chelsea this season, starting all 14 of their Premier League matches, plus two games in the Carabao Cup.
He also earned a call-up to the England squad, and per Football London, has been nominated as one of Chelsea’s top three players of 2023, which adds he has been ‘a real leader in a difficult start to the season.’
This could lead to former City youngster Cole Palmer starting at Old Trafford against the club he supports. He was on the bench at the weekend with Chelsea’s midfield trio being Gallagher, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.
Meanwhile, Chelsea can take solace that big money midfielder Fernandez is coming into form, scoring his first goals for the club in their victory over Brighton at the weekend.
Manchester United waiting on Mount
Manchester United are currently waiting to see if there will be positive news on former Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.
Mount has missed the last three matches since the international break with an injury.
However, he was back at Carrington last week and has an outside chance to make the squad against his old club.
Whether he plays 90 minutes or five minutes, this fixture would be the perfect moment for Mount to score his first goal for the club.
