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One of the most important late-stage matches of the 2025/26 Premier League season takes the Stamford Bridge pitch as Champions League places are up for grabs when Manchester United visits Chelsea on Saturday evening.
The Red Devils have made a charge up the standings under interim manager Michael Carrick, sitting third in the standings with 55 points. Yet they are closely challenged by those behind them, with Aston Villa level on points in fourth, Liverpool sit three points behind in fifth, and Chelsea reside a further five points behind in sixth.
The Blues are in a dire position, as their Champions League hopes rest firmly on the line with just six games to go the rest of the season, and beating those directly above them in the standings would go a long way towards a miraculous late-season comeback.
The Sporting News is following the Chelsea vs. Man United match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
Chelsea vs. Man United live score
Location: Stamford Bridge (London, England)
Referee: Michael Oliver
Keep track of every game and every goal via SN’s live Premier League scoreboard
Starting lineups:
Chelsea (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Sanchez (GK) — 27. Gusto, 29. Fofana, 21. Hato, 5. Cucurella — 25. Caicedo, E. Fernandez — 7. Neto, 10. Palmer, 41. Estevao — 9. Delap.
Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Lammens (GK) — 3. Mazraoui, 26. Heaven, 23. Shaw, 2. Dalot — 18. Casemiro, 37. Mainoo — 19. Mbeumo, 8. Fernandes, 10. Cunha — Sesko.
MORE: An up-to-date list of the Premier League top goal scorers for the 2025/26 season
Chelsea vs. Man United key moments
Lineups: The starting XI is in for both sides, and there are already some fascinating twists to this match.
Most notably, Chelsea are without Joao Pedro in the matchday squad, presumably for an injury or illness-related issue, although we do not have word on that just yet. Liam Delap starts up front, with Marc Guiu on the bench.
For Man United, who are in the midst of a centre-back injury crisis, Luke Shaw has had to start in the middle of the back line, with no Lenny Yoro in the squad. Kobbie Mainoo passes fit, a bonus to the midfield, while Amad Diallo starts on the bench as Benjamin Sesko gets the nod up front.
Prematch: Chelsea made the switch from Enzo Maresca to Liam Rosenior in early January, believing it was time to bring on the Strasbourg boss they groomed to be Chelsea’s long-term boss.
Yet 21 games into his Blues tenure, he has won just 11 games, or 52 percent of his matches, while losing eight ofthem and drawing two. It’s a mediocre record at best that has left many Chelsea supporters unconvinced of his credentials to lead the club moving forward.
Can he prove he is the man for the job by beating a team above them in the table while chasing a late-season charge into the Champions League places? They can ill-afford to see the five-point gap widen even further!
Chelsea vs. Man United talking points, analysis
Following the game, this section will be updated with analysis of the Chelsea vs. Man United match.
Chelsea vs. Man United reaction
Following the game, this section will be updated with post-match reaction from Liam Rosenior and Michael Carrick.
Chelsea vs. Man United team news
Chelsea team news
MORE: An in-depth rundown of all the latest Chelsea team news and injuries
- Reece James has returned to training and could make his first appearance back from a hamstring injury, but it feels more likely that he will be back as a substitute off the bench rather than a start. The same is true for Jamie Gittens who has been out for quite some time.
- Trevoh Chalobah is likely out until the start of May after picking up an ankle injury in the Champions League exit at the hands of PSG, while Enzo Fernandez will return from his disciplinary absence in this game.
- Levi Colwill appears close to returning from his preseason ACL injury, but there isn’t much time left in the season to get him going again.
Man United team news
MORE: An in-depth rundown of all the latest Man United team news and injuries
- Kobbie Mainoo has picked up a knock in training camp last week and could be a doubt for this match, with Michael Carrick indicating he will be a game-time decision.
- There is still some time needed for Patrick Dorgu to recover from his hamstring injury, likely not back until the next match against Brentford.
- Both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are suspended for this match, with the former hit with an improper conduct charge, while the latter was sent off against Leeds and will serve a three-match ban.
Chelsea, Man United upcoming schedules
Chelsea upcoming fixtures
| Date | Competition | Match | Location |
| Tue, Apr. 21 | Premier League | Brighton vs. Chelsea | Amex Stadium (Brighton, England) |
| Sun, Apr. 26 | FA Cup | Chelsea vs. Leeds | Stamford Bridge (London, England) |
| Mon, May 4 | Premier League | Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest | Stamford Bridge (London, England) |
Man United upcoming fixtures
| Date | Competition | Match | Location |
| Mon, Apr. 27 | Premier League | Man United vs. Brentford | Old Trafford (Manchester, England) |
| Sun, May 3 | Premier League | Man United vs. Liverpool | Old Trafford (Manchester, England) |
| Sat, May 9 | Premier League | Sunderland vs. Man United | Stadium of Light (Sunderland, England) |
