It’s not been a good week for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea Football Club, but we have a good chance to make it a good weekend as a very much not good Manchester United roll into town for Saturday high noon showdown.
Michael Carrick, who signed a two-year contract after a successful interim period at the end of last season, is barely hanging on just a few months later. United are winless in their last eight in all competitions, and have won just two games all season: against newly promoted Ipswich Town and against Sabah FK, champions of Azerbaijan. Many expected Carrick to be sacked by now; that just might happen should they lose again.
One can only hope we will show no mercy. It’s not personal. It’s necessary. Last weekend something happened that, since 1990, had only happened once before. That stain isn’t going to come out in the wash anytime soon. We’re going to have to scrub and scrub and scrub and, above all, win and win and win.
Date / Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026; 12.30 GMT; 8:30am EDT; 6pm IST
Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Referee: Peter Bankes (on pitch); James Bell (VAR)
Forecast: a bit of sunshine, even, peeking through the clouds
On TV: TNT Sports 1 (UK); USA, Telemundo (USA); Star Sports Select HD1 (India); SuperSport Premier League; Canal+ Sport 3 (NGA); elsewhere
Streaming: HBO Max (UK); Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA); JioHotstar (India); DStv Now (NGA)
Chelsea team news: Wednesday’s exit from the League Cup came with the added cost of yet another major injury as Maxence Lacroix strained his hamstring and was withdrawn just before half-time. Lacroix had been leading the team in minutes and anchoring the back-three in Xabi Alonso’s standard setup, but now he’s been ruled out for at least a few weeks. Wesley Fofana, who gave away a penalty at one end, then skied the final decisive take in the shootout, could be set to deputize — even if Alonso does start experimenting more often with a back-four (along with a three-man midfield).
Jorrel Hato has also been ruled out with some sort of injury, joining Reece James, João Pedro, Emiliano Martínez, and Jamie Gittens on the sidelines. Thankfully, Moisés Caicedo avoided injury after suffering a knock midweek (so did Malo Gusto, for whatever that’s worth), while Pep Chavarría has been declared fit after missing our last two games. And Cole Palmer’s back as his one-match suspension was able to be served in the League Cup.
“It’s really important after the last home game that we keep winning games, and we have this winning feeling.”
“It’s going to be a tough game, and we’ll have a good version of us to win the game. This is going to be the journey. We’ll have good moments, tough moments, but we need to learn from them [and] I want to see more of the good version of us.”
-Xabi Alonso; source: Chelsea FC
You and me both, friendo.
Manchester United team news: As it often happens, poor results on the pitch have lead to palpable discord in the dressing room, and that sideshow between Carrick and club captain Bruno Fernandes has only been adding to the tensions. Carrick dropped Fernandes last weekend, a decision that backfired in a 3-0 home defeat against AFC Bournemouth. They have supposedly cleared the air now, but I certainly wouldn’t mind if United’s best player would be made to sit out another game.
United could also welcome back Kobbie Mainoo from injury, but Marcus Rashford faces a late fitness test while Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw, Benjamin Šeško, and Manuel Ugarte have been ruled out. Former Blues Andrey Santos and Mason Mount will likely feature in some capacity — they both logged 90 minutes last weekend, a rarity for Mount to be sure.
“I know what we need to do, really, to be better. I don’t need anyone else to tell me anything else. […] I’m here to do the best for the team and I’m desperate to make us better and improve things.”
-Michael Carrick; source: Yahoo! Sports
View from the enemy: The Busby Babe
Previously: We managed to lose both games against United last season, including the 1-0 home defeat in April. It was United’s first win at the Bridge since 2020. As per the official website, this will be the 200th meeting between the two sides in all competitions. We will be looking for win number 57. A bit of Cole Palmer magic, like in 2024, certainly wouldn’t hurt.
