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Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Combined XI ahead of Premier League showdown

By Craig Pearson

Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Hull City and Chelsea at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on October 1, 2016. / AFP / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)
Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian (L) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Hull City and Chelsea at the KCOM Stadium in Kingston upon Hull, north east England on October 1, 2016. / AFP / Lindsey PARNABY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United attempts to take the ball past Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City (L) and Glen Johnson of Stoke City (R) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on October 2, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United attempts to take the ball past Xherdan Shaqiri of Stoke City (L) and Glen Johnson of Stoke City (R) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford on October 2, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Final lineup and notable mentions

So that concludes our Chelsea-Manchester United combined XI. Form and Fitness played a part in the selection process, and given the talent in both squads, it is inevitable some big names have to be left out. Mostly in attack.

Marcus Rashford’s rise has continued this season, but the 18-year-old hasn’t quite played as well as of late. Anthony Martial has shown sparse glimpses of last season’s form, but is yet to find any consistency.

Juan Mata, Willian and Jesse Lingard have all had good moments but failed to make the cut. Wayne Rooney obviously hasn’t been at the necessary level to make it in all season long.

Luke Shaw has been injured. Likewise John Terry. Victor Moses has done well since Conte’s formation change, but, again, it’s only been two games. Anyway, the final lineup looks like this:

Chelsea-Man United - Football tactics and formations
Chelsea-Man United - Football tactics and formations /

The formation could also be adjusted to a diamond midfield to accommodate Costa to play more centrally. It just depends on the individual picking the team. United eventually had more players in the XI by a margin of 7-4.

Next: Leicester City vs. Crystal Palace: Combined XI

But given Chelsea’s performances in their last two games, that could be completely different if the team was to be re-done in a few weeks time. Chelsea are on the rise right now. Next up for the Blues is their old boss Mourinho and United.

Will the momentum continue? Or will Mourinho’s bus bring proceedings to a screeching halt?

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