It almost feels as if every game is Amorim's final chance to save his bacon at Man Utd.
After last week's humiliation in the derby (again), the Portuguese came under HUGE fire for his side's frankly, woeful performance against a side that were there for the taking.
United were easily defeated by a City team that were in cruise control and who just waited for the eventual cock up by Ruben's Reds. Similar issues were clear once more as failure to create chances, failure to track midfield runners and overall poor defending led to a defeat that was more than just a loss.
Amorim really has to get a positive result against a strong Chelsea. Should he lose and in a certain manner, it could be curtains for the 40 year old.
Predicted Lineup
I doubt we'll see anything surprising. Amorim said he wasn't going to change his formation and approach and I feel like he isn't going to change a lot of that personnel as well.
Since he didn't start Lammens in the derby, I don't see why he would start against another big side. I believe he should because the sooner he is in the side the better, and also because Bayindir is shite. He pretty much costs us a goal a game at this point.
I would like to see Mazraoui play in the back three with Shaw dropping out and Amad moved to RWB but Amorim will go for something more orthodox. Shaw was one of the worst players on the pitch for United against City as he had a hand in conceding all 3 goals.
I think the manager will keep him in the side because he wants to have a left-footer as the LCB and also because I believe Amorim low key really likes Shaw. De Ligt and Yoro to remain.
Mazraoui at RWB with Dorgu on the left (hopefully he can improve going forward) and a midfield pairing of Bruno and Casemiro who was surprisingly left on the bench for the derby.
The front three also picks itself with Amad, Mbeumo and Sesko. People have been (rightfully) complaining about Amad's performances as he has been well below par wherever he's played. Put him out wide and with the injuries to Cunha and Mount, this means an extra place at no 10. We'd all like to see the captain there as he simply a waste in midfield.
Let's be honest though, Amorim ain't gonna change shit, is he?
Approach
The same could be said here.
If the manager is stubborn in his setup and selection, then he won't be opting for a different style of play.
A part of me does admire this but considering how bad it's gone, something has to give and for me, that would be the approach.
I believe Amorim has to go back to basics and do something I don't actually want him to do and that is to play a brand that suits his players. He needs to go counter-attacking.
We know that when it comes to this style of football, these players thrive. We also have pace in attack and it gives Bruno more of a chance to play his Hollywood passes without the threat of being caught in dangerous areas by Chelsea as there will be a lot of defensive cover.
The Blues average the second-most possession with 62.3% which is 6% more than United. Only LFC have the ball more than Chelsea. This means that it is likely they will dominate possession against us. Amorim can then set his team up in a low block and look to frustrate them.
This is the way I think we can beat them.
When looking at their results, other than at West Ham where they won 5-1, Chelsea haven't been super convincing.
They played two sides in Palace and Brentford who are well-known to be counter-attacking teams. Both got draws against the Blues. They defended well, kept their shape and hit Chelsea on the break.
If you look at Brentford's opener, it was classic counter-attack. Chelsea were on the offensive but once the ball broke to Jordan Henderson, he hit a long ball to Kevin Shade who ended up scoring.
Chelsea were well up the pitch as they committed men to the attack with just Tosin left behind. Shade just got on the ball, cut-in and put the ball in the back of the net. Simple.
Brentford had just 7 shots to Chelsea's 16 but compared to Enzo Maresca's side, the Bees had 4 on target to their 6. Efficiency.
The other area where they exploited Chelsea was in the long throw-in, which seems to have made a return to English football. In the final stages of the game, Brentford launched it into the box causing panic amongst the Blues' back line only for Fabio Carvalho to sneak in at the back post and level it late on. He was left unmarked by a certain Garnacho. Good to see old habits. Perhaps this is something we can take advatange of because United have been threatening when it comes to set-pieces. 2 of our 4 goals have come from them.
Palace are an even better example because not only did they get a draw at the Brdige, they kept a clean sheet, had just 28% possession but had more shots on target.
More than this, Oliver Glasner sets up in a 3-4-2-1, just like Amorim.
The difference is that they have the right profile of players and in their correct positions which is what I believe will lead Amorim to the sack. Bruno in midfield along with Casemiro have no chance against the likes of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Cole Palmer sometimes drops in or Marc Cucurella inverts to give them three in the centre of the park which will outnumber our two.
City did something similar with the likes of Jeremy Doku and ended up winning comfortable as they overloaded our midfield.
United also have to move the ball quickly whenever Chelsea are high up the pitch. We move it too slowly, take too many touches and nor do we get enough players sprinting up the field to help in attack during breakaways.
I doubt we'll have too many chances and very few clear-cut (if any). Chance creation is still a problem although I do believe that this Chelsea defense can be got at.
Form
We are 14th in the table. We have one win, one draw and two losses. We've scored just 4 (2 of which have been own goals) and conceded 7 with no clean sheets. We have a - 3 GD.
We have no form.
Amorim has failed to win back-to-back league games in 31 matches. His time at the club puts him bottom of the table since November last year. He has the worst win rate of any United manager since WWII of just 36.17% (Sky Sports).
Forget about records against the big 6 because that has been poor for many years.
The good thing is that against this particular opponent at Old Trafford, the record is strong. Chelsea haven't won at OT since 2013.
Another record for Amorim to break 🤣.
The recent record has been even as in the last five there has been two United wins, two Chelsea wins and one draw which was in this fixture last season. 1-1 also happens to be the regular score line between the two over the past few years.
Chelsea
The Blues are one of just three clubs who are undefeated in the league along with Palace and Liverpool. Chelsea sit in 5th with 8 points after their four matches. They've scored 9 which is the joint-most and conceded just 3 which is amongst the fewest in their two wins and two draws.
They play some really good football and have some top players. I almost feel like the job Enzo Maresca has done goes under the radar.
He's only been in charge for a season and a bit yet has won two trophies (Conference League and Club World Cup) and has done it with the youngest squad in the division. Their average age is 23.3.
Their front line and particularly midfield is really strong. Joao Pedro has come in and slotted in perfectly and has 2 goals and 2 assists with even the likes of Estevao, Fernandez and Caicedo having all popped up with goals and assists. Out of their 9 scored, their two midfielders have scored 4. That is the same as United altogether.
Decent FPL shouts as well. My league code: ffu2j8.
This shows that they aren't reliant on Cole Palmer who made a comeback from injury last week by scoring at Brentford and Bayern in the Champions League. I'm also a fan of Pedro Neto who is the quintesential winger as he is good going forward and does a lot of work defensively.
And of course, they have Garnacho.
If I was Maresca, I would be starting him. In fact, in his presser, the Chelsea boss has said "I think he is ready to start" in reference to Garnacho 👀. He hasn't started for them just yet and after a tough game in Munich, they might need fresh legs. The 20 year old can not only provide that freshness but he will return with a point to prove. He has a personal vendetta with Amorim and will want to potentially be the final nail in his coffin.
Garnacho is also a good player. He is inconsistent but we know he has quality.
One area of their team that is a little weak is their defense. With Levi Colwill injured, it removes their best defender and while Tosin and Trevor Chalobah have been good, I do believe they are there to be got at.
Cucrella is solid but can be caught high up the pitch. Reece James is a player whom you can't rely on much like Shaw. You never know when he's going to break. If United can get passed that initial press and midfield, we have a chance.
To be honest though, I would just give us the ball. United have no idea what to do when they have possession and play against a low block. I know this isn't Chelsea's style but if they want to win comfortably, do this and they will. Look at City.
The Blues are coming into this one off of the back of two disappointing results. A late draw at Brentford was followed by a 3-1 loss to Bayern. However, manager Maresca was positive after that game saying that "I have a feeling we can build something special from this defeat."
Prediction
1-1.
I think with Chelsea's poor OT record and the fact that we're at home, we had a week off and they played in Munich just two days ago, I can see this being another draw.
A part of me would be content with that.
I feel we sometimes pull things out of the hat and in the bigger games, we tend to turn up more than not. I also don't think we've played as badly as the results might suggest which is why I feel we'll get something out of this game.
How are you feeling ahead of what will be another tough match? All eyes will be on Ruben Amorim.
Patrick Dorgu | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)
Alejandro Garnacho | Image via Chelsea official X (@ChelseaFC)
Old Trafford | Photo by Sierra Alpha Juliet on Unsplash