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Attendance: 40,562
Chelsea logo
FA Cup | Fifth Round
Feb 18, 2019 at 7.30pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-2)
Herrera (31'), Pogba (45')

How Chelsea could line up against Manchester United

Ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester United on Monday night, Sports Mole looks at how the 2018 winners could line up.

FA Cup holders Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening in a repeat of last season's Wembley final.

The Blues won 1-0 nine months ago to lift the trophy for an eighth time, but they head into this latest tussle on the back of some poor form.

Chelsea may have edged out Malmo 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash in midweek, but they have suffered heavy losses to Bournemouth and Manchester City of late and the pressure is on Maurizio Sarri to pick up victory against United.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Sarri may set out his side for Monday's fifth-round tie.


Possible CHEXI vs. UTD

Out: Marco van Ginkel (knee)
Doubtful: Danny Drinkwater (tendon), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back), Gary Cahill (back)

> Click here for the latest Chelsea injury and suspension news

Sarri fielded a mixed XI for the midweek trip to Sweden, leaving star man Eden Hazard on the bench for 70 minutes and giving Gonzalo Higuain the evening off.

Both men are expected to be recalled against United, however, which could spell bad news for Olivier Giroud, who has had a hand in 23 goals in 28 appearances in the FA Cup, averaging a goal or assist every 73 minutes in the competition.

There are rumours of a falling out behind the scenes between Sarri and Marcos Alonso on the back of the 6-0 loss at Man City, which could see Emerson Palmieri given an extended run in the side at left-back.

Despite questions being asked of the 4-3-3 formation, meanwhile, the under-fire Italian looks certain to retain faith in Jorginho as the central pivot of his three-man midfield, with N'Golo Kante to the right of him.

It is then a straight fight between Loftus-Cheek, who is carrying a back injury, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley for the third spot, which the latter appears favourite to hold down thanks to his goal against Malmo.

Experienced centre-back Cahill is Chelsea's only other fitness doubt, but he was unlikely to play a part anyway.

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Maurizio Sarri during a Chelsea press conference on February 13, 2019
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