Game Week 15 Predictions: United and Chelsea to share points?

Manchester United faces turmoil amid press conference controversy; Chelsea seeks momentum against struggling opponent.

Manchester United need a big result against Chelsea on Wednesday but, the visitors also need to win to stay on course on the log. (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Old Trafford

21:15hrs

Manchester United has hit rock bottom; it’s probably time to press the panic button with the club barring select journalists from attending Erik Ten Hag’s press conference.

Sky Sports journalists and a few others were not allowed into Ten Hag’s press conference ahead of this big fixture after some reports came out from Sky Sports on Monday of a possible dressing room unrest at Old Trafford.

United released a statement confirming their decision, and it reads: “We’re not barring their presence at the presser because they carried false news, but because they could have reached out to us to confirm, they didn’t do that.”.

Chelsea papered the cracks over the weekend with a strong result over Brighton. Connor Gallagher was sent off in the first half, putting pressure on the rest of the team, but they managed to win 3-2, surviving a late penalty situation that was eventually overruled.

Chelsea sits in tenth position on the log; a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford could take them up to eighth, and they can build from there. The state of things with the Chelsea squad isn’t encouraging, but injured players are coming back gradually.

The Red Devils were in a good place two weeks ago, winning games on the bounce until they suffered another defeat in the Champions League and then went to St. James’s Park to lose 1-0. They didn’t play well enough, and something has to change.

If the talks of the dressing room unrest is anything to be believed, Manchester United wouldn’t need that distraction. If 50% of the dressing room doesn’t believe in the manager anymore, then it’s only downward from here.

Marcus Rashford is struggling with confidence in front of goal, Alejandro Garnacho needs to be involved in the game more, and something has to happen with the midfield; it’s not ticking and injuries won’t always be a good excuse.

It will be a cagey affair. Chelsea knows exactly how to play games like this; they will play for a point, but that doesn’t help either side. They must be brave and rise to be counted. United can’t afford to slip further down in the title conversation, although it would be lofty for them to dream such at this time.

It’s a Mason Mount Derby; it is left to be seen if he will play the game. He’s been fit for a while but is still left on the bench. Bruno Fernandes and Koby Mainoo are two players who must help the United midfield, but how well will they fare against Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes?

Verdict: Full-time draw