Manchester United begin the post-Erik ten Hag era in the Premier League this weekend.
Manchester United vs Chelsea best bets
- Chelsea to win – 6/4 with Paddy Power
- Wesley Fofana to receive a card – 7/4 with Paddy Power
- Cole Palmer to score or assist – 10/11 with Paddy Power
Man Utd vs Chelsea odds
Find the latest match odds for Man Utd vs Chelsea. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Manchester United vs Chelsea predictions
No one was surprised when Manchester United eventually decided to part ways with Erik ten Hag on Monday.
Less than 24 hours after his team had suffered a 2-1 defeat by West Ham United, Ten Hag was given his marching orders by the powers that be at Old Trafford.
Ironically, United’s performance at the London Stadium last weekend was far from their worst of the campaign to date. The visitors dominated the first half but were unable to take their chances. West Ham’s late winner, a Jarrod Bowen penalty, was highly controversial.
Yet Ten Hag was not hard done by. In truth, United should have acted decisively at the end of last season after their lowest ever finish in the Premier League era. Ten Hag may have guided United to FA Cup glory, but that eighth-place finish was a truer reflection of his side’s season-long performance.
It had all started so promisingly. United finished third and won the EFL Cup in Ten Hag’s debut season at the helm. But they went backwards last term and failed to improve in the first nine games of 2024/25. Even in his third campaign, it was hard to work out what Ten Hag’s United were actually trying to do.
Ruben Amorim is on his way as the permanent replacement, but the latest reports indicate he will not officially take charge until the November international break. That means interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead United against Chelsea this weekend, as well as in upcoming duels with PAOK and Leicester City.
Van Nistelrooy oversaw a 5-2 victory over Leicester in the EFL Cup on Wednesday. Deep down the Dutchman must be miffed that he will only be United manager for a couple of weeks, but the club icon will still relish the chance to call the shots in a Premier League game on Sunday.
Given they sit 14th in the table, United could really do with a win against Chelsea. However, they have shown little so far this season to suggest they are capable of finishing in the top half, and Van Nistelrooy was previously Ten Hag’s assistant.
Manchester United vs Chelsea betting tips
Two of the Premier League’s big six go head-to-head at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea to win
There were certainly some promising signs in Manchester United’s comfortable triumph over Leicester in midweek, but this will be a much sterner examination of their credentials.
Chelsea have had a promising start to the campaign. Manchester City and Liverpool are the only opponents to whom they have lost, although the Blues also went down to Newcastle United in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
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Crucially, Enzo Maresca has waded through a bloated squad to settle on a preferred 13 or 14 players from which the starting XI is usually drawn.
He has given his team an identity within a couple of months. Even though Chelsea ultimately lost the match, they gave a good account of themselves against Liverpool recently.
With United in limbo while they wait for Amorim, this could be a good time for Chelsea to head to Old Trafford.
Back Chelsea to win at 6/4 with Paddy Power
Wesley Fofana to receive a card
No player in the Premier League has received more yellow cards so far this season than Wesley Fofana, hence our selection for Sunday’s showdown with Manchester United.
Fofana has established himself as one of Maresca’s go-to centre-backs and we can expect him to return to the XI here after the former Leicester stopper sat out the 2-0 loss to Newcastle in midweek.
Despite being the away team, Maresca’s men will look to dominate possession against United.
Their strategy will involve holding a high defensive line, which is something the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford will look to exploit.
It is a risky but potentially rewarding way of defending. Do not be surprised if Fofana is required to stop a fast United break by foul means as well as fair.
Choose Wesley Fofana to receive a card at 7/4 with Paddy Power
Cole Palmer to score or assist
There are few better attacking players in Europe than Cole Palmer right now.
After a sensational debut season at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino, Palmer has picked up where he left off.
Palmer scored the winner against Newcastle last weekend and in effect created the opening goal too, even though he did not get the assist.
By scoring or supplying, Palmer has had a direct hand in 12 goals in 2024/25 – the most in the division.
One way or another, the England international will have his say against the club he supported as a boy.
Tip Cole Palmer to score or assist at 10/11 with Paddy Power
How to watch Manchester United vs Chelsea
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
- Date and time: Sunday 3rd November, 4.30pm.
- How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
- Premier League winner predictions
- Premier League relegation odds
- Champions League winner odds
- Championship promotion odds
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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