Man United predicted starting line-up vs Chelsea

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes in action against Wolverhampton in the Premier League at Old Trafford [COURTESY]

Manchester United face one of their biggest games of the season so far as they take on Chelsea on Monday night desperate for a victory which would see them edge closer to Champions League qualification.

Fourth place is still very much up for grabs this season with a number of teams in contention, and a United victory at Stamford Bridge would move them just three points behind the Blues.

A defeat, however, would see a nine-point gap emerge, and arguably end their chances of qualifying for Europe's elite competition via the Premier League.

It is unlikely manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will make too many changes from the team that drew 0-0 with Wolves at the start of the month.

The back five of David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are likely to keep their place, with United having kept three clean sheets in a row.

One alteration in midfield is likely to see Nemanja Matic restored to the starting line-up after the Serbian midfielder missed the game against Wolves through suspension, with Andreas Pereira likely to be the man to make way.

His fellow central midfielder Fred has been in superb recent form, and there appears no reason why Solskjaer would opt to tinker with his position.

In front of them the trio of Juan Mata, Bruno Fernandes and Daniel James should start, with Fernandes looking to build on his promising debut.

The big question up front revolves around whether Solskjaer will throw new signing Odion Ighalo in at the deep end, but it is expected that the on loan striker will be on the bench for this one, with Anthony Martial likely to be given the nod and Ighalo kept as a potential impact substitution if needs be.

Man United XI (4-2-3-1): de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fred, Mata, Fernandes, James, Martial.