BREAKING NEWS: “I wish my team had gone for him. His quality is just over the top and he’s definitely the center piece of their team. We have to try to convince him to join us.I strongly dislike seeing him in a Chelsea shirt” – A competitor pays the highest compliment to a standout Chelsea player.

Mauricio Pochettino has many big decisions to make as he tries to keep up his Chelsea side’s momentum when they travel up to Old Trafford to face Manchester United this evening.

The Blues’ 3-2 win over Brighton on Sunday will have done them a world of good. Even going down to ten men, they managed to hang on after a 4-1 loss to Newcastle United that would’ve left them rattled to the core the weekend prior and stuck it out for a major three points.

However, the Blues boss has already made one big decision ahead of the game against Erik ten Hag’s men which is to leave both Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia out of the matchday squad against United. The pair are still recovering from injuries they suffered earlier in the season but are yet to make their debuts for Chelsea since signing in the summer.

“He is not involved tomorrow. I think it is like we always tell you, it’s about assessing day by day. Sometimes we become excited when we see on the pitch and we want to have the player as soon as possible.

“I think we need to be careful and of course when he is ready he is going to be really strong. Romeo is doing well also but like Christopher is not going to be involved.”

Despite the near-returns being a positive, as has often been with the Blues this season, there is a downside. Both Lesley Ugochukwu and Noni Madueke have picked up minor injuries after the win over Brighton.

“Lesley feels something this week, a minor injury,” Pochettino said. “Noni post-match, after Brighton also, minor problems hope that soon they will be available to train and available for the team.”

Elsewhere, Malo Gusto is still a doubt for the fixture after being seen in training before the Brighton win. Despite that positive step in his recovery, he wasn’t included in the squad that hosted the Seagulls. Defenders Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana will all be out for the clash as they continue to recover with long-term issues.

The midfield will also be weakened as Carney Chukwuemeka recovers from an issue that has left him sidelined since the second match of the season. The 20-year-old netted his only goal of the season so far in the 3-1 loss to West Ham before going off injured in the first half – but won’t be available to replace the suspended Conor Gallagher after his red card over the weekend.

With that being said, football.london has taken a look at how the Chelsea squad could look against Man United.

Goalkeepers: Rob Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic

Defenders: Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Ian Maatsen, Alfie Gilchrist, Josh Brooking, Marc Cucurella, Reece James

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez

Attackers: Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Armando Broja, Deivid Washington

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