Chelsea, Man United Hit by Injuries Before Key Games

Chelsea will host Manchester United in a pivotal Premier League match with significant Champions League qualification stakes for the Blues. Manchester United, under new head coach Ruben Amorim, are expected to rest key players and could be without up to six defenders—Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Diogo Dalot—due to injuries and fitness concerns ahead of the Europa League final against Tottenham. Amorim may again turn to academy players such as Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass, and Chido Obi to fill the gaps, as United seek to avoid further setbacks during their worst Premier League finish. Chelsea face a striker crisis, with Nicolas Jackson suspended for the remainder of the season and injuries to Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu, prompting new head coach Enzo Maresca to consider promoting youth players. Both managers are expected to rotate their squads, weighing the risks of injury against performance needs. The match is crucial for Chelsea’s European ambitions, while United’s season rests on their Europa League campaign as their only path to Champions League qualification.