Chelsea vs. Manchester United: 5 key matchups

Chelsea take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Here are five matchups that could decide the result.

Manchester United travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, hoping to build on their comeback win against Newcastle before the international break and begin climbing the table. The match is an opportunity for Jose Mourinho to prove he’s capable of guiding his team through a bad spell, rather inflaming tensions as he so often has in the past. As for Chelsea, it’s an opportunity to bolster their title credentials and dispel any doubts that their early success is a fluke thanks to a presumed easy schedule. Here are five key matchups that could decide the result.

Eden Hazard vs. United’s midfield

This year, it seems, Chelsea will go as far as Eden Hazard will take them. So far, the Belgian has seven goals and three assists in only eight games, and has looked like one of the very best players in the world.

Hazard has flourished in the free role provided him in Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-3. Mourinho is well aware of Hazard’s quality, having coached him during his last Chelsea stint, and will be keen on stopping the magic that flows from the Belgian’s boots. In past matchups, this has meant man-marking Hazard with Ander Herrera and routinely fouling him to stop him from getting comfortable. If Hazard starts fast, United will be on their heels all day.

Marcos Alonso vs. Antonio Valencia

Marcos Alonso has been vital for Chelsea over the past couple of seasons, proving to be one of the best attacking left-backs in Europe. However, there remain doubts about his defensive capabilities, particularly in a back four.

Antonio Valencia is likely to start at right-back for United (though Ashley Young got the nod in United’s last game), and will have a busy game trying to cancel out Alonso’s runs forward. However, if he can keep the Spaniard under wraps, he’ll be hopeful of exploiting him at the other end of the pitch. Whichever of side’s left-back spends more time in the opposition half is likely to come out on top.

Kepa vs. United’s height in the box

United boast the best goalkeeper in this matchup, David De Gea, but it’s the goalie between Chelsea’s posts that could prove the most vital. Currently the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, young Kepa Arrizabalaga has grown into his role as Chelsea’s number 1, delivering solid performances against Liverpool and Southampton recently.

Through eight games, Kepa has four clean sheets while demonstrating solid distribution to his backline, which is so vital to Sarriball. One area he hasn’t been strong is asserting his presence in the box on corners and free-kicks. The tall heads of Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini can wreak havoc in any opponent’s box, so it will be interesting to see how Kepa defends himself against his lankiest opponents yet.

Chelsea’s pace vs. United’s backline

The many contortions of Phil Jones’ face as he chases the ball have been a consistent eyesore for United fans. Jones may be a problem again this weekend. Mourinho, who was so desperate to sign a center-back this summer, has tried all sorts of center-back pairings this season, cycling through Jones, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and even Scott McTominay, while also switching between a back three and a back four.

With this in mind, Sarri may choose to start Alvaro Morata upfront. The Spaniard seems to have fallen behind Olivier Giroud in the Chelsea pecking order, but his ability to run in behind seems better suited to exploiting United’s weaknesses. Morata scored the decisive goal between these sides in the corresponding meeting last season and has scored in two straight appearances. He still struggles with finishing and is a constant source of stress for Chelsea fans, but he could prove vital on Saturday if he finds his shooting boots.

Sarri vs. Mourinho

Water and oil. The philosophies of the United and Chelsea bosses just don’t mix. Chelsea fans are well used to the stoic, counter-attacking strategy of Mourinho but have come to enjoy the free-flowing, possession-based style of Sarriball.

On Saturday, expect Chelsea to dominate possession with over 60 percent of the ball as Mourinho’s squad sit back and absorb pressure. That said, the Blues have struggled to convert that possession into good opportunities at times, which opens the door for United. Lukaku’s pace and Pogba’s precision in the midfield could hit Chelsea on the break. It will be interesting to see which play style prevails.