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Chelsea host Manchester United tonight hoping to resurrect their European hopes with a spectacular victory.
The Red Devils emerged victorious 2-1 in their December meeting, with one Scott McTominay producing the goods to devour the three points.
But this time there is no place for the United stalwart as we at Mail Sport assemble our combined XI for tonight’s clash. And believe us: there were some tough decisions!
Mail Sport has put together a combined eleven ahead of Chelsea’s match against Manchester United
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GOALKEEPER: ANDRÉ ONANA (MANCHESTER UNITED)
Onana’s move in recent months has been one of the driving forces keeping United’s faded Champions League hopes alive.
After an error-plagued start following a £47m transfer from Inter Milan, Onana arrived in 2024 and gave his team a chance in every game, despite being among the league’s top scorers. .
Dorde Petrovic seized his opportunity with Chelsea after Robert Sanchez’s injury and kept his place to give them a reliable presence between the sticks. That said, he had to do better with Dara O’Shea’s headed equalizer on Saturday slipping through his fingers.
Onana’s form since the African Cup of Nations justifies his selection, and he recently admitted he has made a mental turn.
André Onana’s form since the African Cup of Nations has justified his purchase to some extent.
RIGHT SIDE: BAD TASTE (CHELSEA)
With Reece James still held back by injuries, Gusto has given Chelsea fans someone exciting to root for on the right flank.
His haul of eight assists in all competitions and his crossing ability have given the Blues an advantage, and with Cole Palmer lurking ahead of him, they form a strong partnership.
Diogo Dalot was a shout for this position, but as you will soon discover, he was needed elsewhere…
Malo Gusto has provided eight assists from right back this season, just two fewer than Trent Alexander-Arnold.
CENTRAL DEFENSE: AXEL DISASI (CHELSEA)
An imposing presence, good on the ball and reliable in form: Disasi is among the best signings Chelsea have made in the player-devouring Todd Boehly era.
His bond back with Benoit Badiashile, or should we call it a bromance, has been a defining feature of his season.
Had Lisando Martínez’s season not been plagued by injuries, Disasi would definitely have been a threat for this XI, but he pulls it off.
Axel Disasi has adapted to Premeir League life better than some of Chelsea’s other signings
CENTRAL DEFENSE: RAPHAEL VARANE (MANCHESTER UNITED)
He has had critics this season and even lost his place to Jonny Evans at one point, but Varane can be assured of his place if Mail Sport are in charge.
The 30-year-old has regained his place, playing in all of United’s league games this year and is undoubtedly their best defender.
That means Disasi misses out on his dream partnership with Badiashile, but will have to deal with a four-time Champions League winner at his side.
Raphael Varane is Manchester United’s best defender, even if his form has fallen below his usual standards
LEFT SIDE: DIOGO DALOT (MANCHESTER UNITED)
One of the few Man United players this season who I’m happy to call consistent.
Week in and week out, Dalot has been there, starting all but three of United’s league games. He was suspended for one and the others were the first two games of the campaign.
He is not as solid defensively as Aaron Wan-Bissaka nor as good up front as Gusto, but he can play on either side of the defense and hold his own.
Diogo Dalot has been present through all of United’s ups and downs this season with consistent performances.
MIDFIELD CENTER: KOBBIE MAINOO (MANCHESTER UNITED)
The most obvious choice for this team based on their form. It doesn’t come with a huge price tag, but sometimes all you need is a humble academy graduate.
He has become the metronomic lynchpin of United’s midfield, a calm head beyond his years in a turbulent season. Obviously there is room for improvement, but he makes it all look easy.
Gareth Southgate should take him to the Euros after his man-of-the-match performance against Belgium.
And a Nando’s sponsorship deal is in the works. What more could you want than that?
Kobbie Mainoo earned an England call-up with his form for United and impressed everyone
MIDFIELD CENTER: ENZO FERNÁNDEZ (Chelsea)
It still seems like we’re only seeing the best of Fernández in flashes, but those flashes are becoming more frequent.
Not many Premier League stars can link defense and attack better. In the 3-2 win against Newcastle, he was always on the ball and his quick thinking and passing set up Cole Palmer on his way to the goal.
Against Burnley, he took three shots but failed to make the transformative impact fans would like to see a bit more of when their team isn’t playing well.
He and Mainoo would form a premium partnership. Fernández has taken on less creative responsibility this season, but is doing well in his current role.
Enzo Fernández is a complete midfielder who can link defense and attack well.
OFFENSIVE MIDFIELD: BRUNO FERNANDES (MANCHESTER UNITED)
After a dry spell in December, Fernandes has been delivering the type of end product United need from their talisman in 2024.
Three goals and four assists in the New Year mark a respectable figure, not unreasonable, but enough to scare away his critics more credibly.
He has shown better leadership of late, scoring a penalty against Everton and even replacing the defense against Liverpool in that impressive 4-3 FA Cup victory.
He may never recapture that glorious 2020/21 season of 28 goals and 17 assists, but he is on track to hit double figures in both metrics this season, a useful contribution.
Bruno Fernandes will always have detractors but his leadership has been better in 2024
RIGHT WING: COLE PALMER (CHELSEA)
Chelsea’s best player. He could have gone virtually anywhere on this front line, but right wing is the most common position for him.
Attacking down his left, he is lethal, as Newcastle discovered in March when he got inside and fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
Against Burnley he converted a penalty and also took advantage of a point-blank opportunity. Chelsea can trust him to make a difference. He is not just a penalty trader.
A haul of 18 goals and 12 assists puts him just one behind Phil Foden in goal contributions and assists this season.
Chelsea fans are getting used to seeing this celebration: Cole Palmer scored 18 times
FORWARD: NICOLAS JACKSON (CHELSEA)
Very well, this might provoke outrageous condemnation and outbursts of anger, but to be frank, it is perfectly justifiable.
Not only does Jackson have more Premier League goals (nine) than Rasmus Hojlund (seven), but his minutes per goal record is better.
Jackson doesn’t get enough credit for his elegant combination play, which hasn’t translated into many cold, hard assists, but he has clearly improved Chelsea’s situation.
It is true that he has had difficulties finishing his dinner in front of goal, but that is not unprecedented. Didier Drogba scored 16 goals in all competitions in his first season at Chelsea in 2004/05 and the same in the following season before scoring 33 in his third. And he contributed much more than goals to that team.
Nicolas Jackson hasn’t had the easiest first season, but he is settling into Chelsea and connecting to the game.
LEFT WING: ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (MANCHESTER UNITED)
What a revelation Garnacho has been in recent months. It took until November for this lanky, difficult winger to score his first goal of the season, but since then he has improved a lot.
His relationship with Rasmus Hojlund has been a ray of hope for United this season and his form has improved along with it.
After failing to produce anything off the bench until late November, he emerged with seven goals and four assists.
His pace on the counter-attack is electrifying and his ability in one-on-one situations is there for all to see.
Alejandro Garnacho has stepped up when Erik ten Hag needs big performances and has been great since November
