New-look Manchester United brace for challenge from Chelsea

Field Level Media|published: Sat 2nd November, 08:47 2024

Aug 3, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay (39) drives past Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo (3) in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Legendary Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will make his Premier League managerial debut on Sunday when the Red Devils host Chelsea at Old Trafford.

van Nistelrooy has taken the interim manager reins after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag early this week. He already has engineered a 5-2 victory in the League Cup at home Wednesday night against Leicester City.

But improving Man U's form in the Premier League -- the Red Devils (3-4-2, 11 points) enter the weekend sitting 14th -- is the top priority for the Dutchman until newly appointed permanent manager Ruben Amorim can take over in a few weeks.

Previously ten Hag's assistant, van Nistelrooy insisted the quality of many of his side's performances has been good enough to earn more points. But he also understands why not doing so led to ten Hag's exit.

"There's been so many games where we felt we could get a better result for the way we played," van Nistelrooy said. "I'm talking Palace, I'm talking West Ham, talking Fenerbahce, talking Porto. But in the end we also know it's about results, this game, and that's part of our jobs."

The way Chelsea's Cole Palmer has played, even an excellent performance from van Nistelrooy's charges won't guarantee points.

The 22-year-old continues to contribute to the attack at a relentless pace for the fifth-place Blues (5-2-2, 17 points). His seven goals and five assists have him on pace to post only the third 20/20 season in the Premier League era, after Arsenal's Thierry Henry and Liverpool's Luis Suarez each accomplished the feat once.

First-year manager Enzo Maresca rested Palmer in his side's midweek defeat in the League Cup at Newcastle.

But when he's played, he's contributed to a goal in four of the last five league matches, during a campaign in which Chelsea's only defeats have come against Manchester City and Liverpool.

"Cole is doing every time very good," Maresca said. "I said at the beginning of the season: If we expect 20 goals and 20 assists from him, then it is probably wrong because we don't need to put all of the pressure on his shoulders. He has to enjoy football.

"If he enjoys, for sure he is going to score and assist his teammates."

Palmer will be without one potential attacking partner in Chelsea loan acquisition Jadon Sancho. He is prohibited from playing against his parent club and is sidelined by illness anyway.

--Field Level Media