Chelsea F.C. vs Man United Lineups: Who Plays and Who Sits Out This All-Important Clash?

Matchday 33 of the 2025/26 English Premier League will see one of the classic rivalries revived again as Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Liam Rosenior's Chelsea. Both teams are fighting for a UEFA Champions League spot next season and are all set to give it all on the pitch for a classic encounter.

Chelsea are 6th in the Premier League table currently, as they have found themselves in a tough run of form. They have won just one out of their last five games across all competitions, and might even fail to keep their Europa League spot if things don't change for good.

The Blues are coming off a 3-0 defeat to one of the best football clubs in the world currently, Manchester City, in their previous fixture, and will want to prove a point on home turf against Michael Carrick's men.

On the other hand, Manchester United are third in the league standings, although they are well and truly off from a potential title charge. They have found their mojo back under Carrick, but still have a long way to go if they want to play in Europe's biggest competition next season.

The Red Devils have lost two of their last five games against Newcastle and Leeds with a very narrow margin. They are now winless in two games in a row, as a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth made them drop points further.

Ahead of the action-packed clash, Sportsdunia is here to reveal all the details regarding Chelsea F.C. vs Man United lineups on who starts the game and who will be impactful on coming off the bench.

Chelsea F.C. Lineup vs Man United

Liam Rosenior has gone with his usual 4-2-3-1 formation in this game. Roberto Sanchez starts in goal with Malo Gusto as right back. Reece James is out with a hamstring injury, so Gusto has big shoes to fill tonight. Wesley Fofana and Jorrel Hato are the designated centre-backs, as both Trevor Chalobah and Levi Colwill are out with respective injuries.

Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo play in the double pivot, and they would look to break up Manchester United's play in the middle of the park by robbing off the ball from the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, and Matheus Cunha.

Marc Cucurella and Pedro Neto are the usual partners on the left flank once again, with Cole Palmer playing on the right. Enzo Fernandez returns to the Chelsea F.C. Lineup after serving a two-game hiatus, following his suspension by the club. Joao Pedro, as a number nine, is tasked with finishing the chances created by Palmer and Enzo.

Once again, one of the best Chelsea players currently, Cole Palmer, along with Enzo Fernandez, will be key to Chelsea's chance creation. The Chelsea midfield, as a whole, will look to choke Manchester United's midfield as deep as possible, without giving them much time on the ball.

Chelsea F.C. Starting XI vs Man United

Have a look at the Chelsea F.C. lineup from the Chelsea F.C. vs Man United lineups.

Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Palmer, Estevao, Neto; Delap.

Man United Lineup vs Chelsea

The Manchester United F.C. Lineup has undergone drastic changes due to an injury crisis in recent times. Senne Lammens is the goalkeeper for this crunch game as usual, with a back four of Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, and Diogo Dalot. Harry Maguire and Mattijs de Ligt are out injured, while Lisandro Martinez saw a red card in the previous game against Leeds United, which has forced Michael Carrick to go with the 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and Luke Shaw as the centre-back pairing.

Patrick Dorgu is also unavailable due to a hamstring issue, so Diogo Dalot plays left back. One of the best midfielders in the Premier League currently, Casemiro, plays in the double pivot with Kobbie Mainoo. Their job is to snatch the ball in the middle of the park before the play gets too dangerous from Chelsea, and find the right pass, which would set off the likes of Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo on a good counter.

Portuguese magnifico Bruno Fernandes plays the number ten role, and his performance will be key to the Red Devils' success in this game. Bruno needs to find the pocket of spaces from where he can create the magic, as he has done all this season.

Bryan Mbuemo starts as the number nine, and he needs to be clinical in front of the goal if Man United wants to be victorious in this match.

Man United Starting XI vs Chelsea

Here is the Manchester United F.C. Starting XI from the Chelsea F.C. vs Man United lineups.

Lammens; Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.