Manchester United Confirmed Lineup vs Chelsea: Ronaldo benched; Matic, Fernandes start

Will Bruno Fernandes step up if Cristiano Ronaldo is absent? (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo has been benched while Nemanja Matic and Bruno Fernandes start as Manchester United get set to take on Chelsea in the Premier League.

Manchester United caretaker boss Michael Carrick has made a huge decision to bench star man and top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo for their Premier League clash against Chelsea. The Portuguese international has been one of the Red Devils’ most crucial players this term and had scored in midweek against Villarreal. However, Carrick has decided to leave him out of the lineup at Stamford Bridge.

Instead, Marcus Rashford looks set to lead the line for Manchester United against Chelsea, with support coming from Jadon Sancho, who was on target in midweek. Bruno Fernandes, who was left out of the starting XI in the Champions League clash, makes a return to the side, slotting in as the lone attacking midfielder.

Carrick has gone in with three central midfielders in the side, with Fred, Scott McTominay, and Nemanja Matic all starting against Chelsea. It will be interesting to see if Manchester United line up in a diamond formation in midfield or whether Matic ends up playing as a third centre-half, alongside Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

Elsewhere, Alex Telles starts in the absence of Luke Shaw while Aaron Wan-Bissaka continues at right-back. David de Gea continues in goal for the Red Devils. Phil Jones is back among the substitutes while Donny van de Beek, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial are all options to call upon along with Ronaldo.

Manchester United Starting Lineup: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Bailly, Telles, Matic, McTominay, Fred, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford.

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