Following midweek cup action against Newcastle United, the focus for Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea players returns to the Premier League as we travel to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon for a 4.30pm kick-off.

After this weekend’s top-flight matches, just over a quarter of the league race will have been run. The Blues' progress is clear to see: we are currently six points better off compared to last season's like-for-like fixtures, with fewer goals conceded and our attacking output on the road better than any rival.

United enter the game 14th in the table and having accrued the fewest points at this stage of any league campaign barring the 2019/20 season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. However, with Erik ten Hag’s tenure ended earlier this week, the Red Devils are now something of a wildcard opponent.

Both sides had midweek Carabao Cup appointments to contend with – and there were greatly contrasting outcomes. While we exited the competition following a 2-0 defeat at St James' Park, United’s new manager bounce delivered a 5-2 home win over Leicester City.

United will attempt to harness that feel-good factor and look to frustrate the Blues at Old Trafford once more.

Notably, our six previous Premier League victories at the stadium have come under six different managers: Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit, Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Rafael Benitez.

If Maresca can add his name to that list on Sunday, the Blues could move as high as third in the Premier League table.

Chelsea team news

Given our midweek trip to the North East ended in defeat, Maresca has several decisions to make regarding his team selection.

There was no Wesley Fofana, Reece James or Romeo Lavia in the squad for Wednesday night's game – Maresca has outlined his plan to use each just once a week at present – while the likes of Malo Gusto, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson also did not travel to Tyneside. Cole Palmer was an unused substitute.

Who among that group returns to the starting XI come Sunday is for Maresca to decide, but changes have been made throughout the campaign on a match-to-match basis to keep players fit and ready for action when called upon.

One player seemingly benefitting from that process is the impressive Moises Caicedo. The Ecuadorian has recorded the most tackles and interceptions this season (48), with the highest average per 90 minutes (5.4) by any Chelsea player since the great N’Golo Kante (5.8) in 2020/21.

Pedro Neto, meanwhile, will hope to be handed another start after claiming an assist against Newcastle in league action last weekend. Jadon Sancho, absent from our Carabao Cup squad in midweek due to illness, cannot face his parent club.

Palmer returns to his hometown this weekend having contributed 20 goals in his past 24 appearances and with an almost telepathic connection forged with Nico Jackson.

The Senegal striker has already netted six times in the league this term – exactly matching his expected goals output – and just four players, including teammate Palmer, have recorded more goal contributions.

The history – Manchester United vs Chelsea

Our first victory over Manchester United came this month in 1908 at their then Bank Street ground, ‘Gatling Gun’ George Hilsdon scoring a decisive penalty.

Sixty years later, the Theatre of Dreams became a happy hunting ground for the Blues, with three league wins in a row produced.

The sequence began in March 1968 with Dave Webb – who had an even better moment at the same ground two years later – making his debut in a 3-1 win. Tommy Baldwin, Peter Osgood and Bobby Tambling were on the scoresheet.

Even more impressive was the 4-0 triumph over the recently crowned champions of Europe the following August. Baldwin (twice) and Tambling found the target again, joined by Alan Birchenall.

The three-in-a-row was achieved in December 1969 with Ian Hutchinson’s brace delivering a 2-0 for Dave Sexton’s Londoners. ‘A complete side at last fulfilling seasons of skilful promise,' was how one match reporter reflected on the display.

Five months later, Webb scored the immortal winner in front of the Stretford End in the 2-1 FA Cup final defeat of Leeds United.

Our most recent league win at Old Trafford was back in May 2013; Juan Mata’s angled shot beat Anders Lindegaard before Rafael kicked David Luiz and received his marching orders.

April’s 4-3 goal-feast at Stamford Bridge, meanwhile, was the first time the Blues had scooped all three points against the Red Devils home or away since November 2017.

Know this…

Only four players have reached 20 Premier League goals in fewer appearances than Jackson. If penalties were excluded, the Senegalese would place third.

Fewest appearances to reach 20 Premier League goals

1 Diego Costa, 2014/15: 26
2 Cole Palmer, 2023/24: 27
3 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 2000/01: 33
4 Mark Stein, 1994-95: 37
5 Nicolas Jackson, 2023-24: 44
6 Hernan Crespo, 2003-06: 45

Manchester United have the eighth-worst home record in the Premier League this season, earning an average of 1.5 points per game at Old Trafford.

Two of United’s goals against Leicester were scored from outside the box – double Ruud van Nistelrooy’s personal tally among the 150 he netted for them between 2001 and 2006.

The Blues have the fifth-best away record in the top flight this term, averaging 2.25 points per road trip.

We have drawn more league matches against Manchester United (53) than any other opponent.

We have conceded just once in the last half-hour of any league game, home or away.

The Blues have won 16, drawn four, and lost two of our 22 fixtures against coaches managing a club in the Premier League for the first time.