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Preview: Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Sports Mole previews the Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes that his team can catch Chelsea in the Premier League table despite starting their fixture on Sunday afternoon 10 points adrift in sixth place.

United are paying the price for a slow start under the Dutchman, but 10 points from five matches have boosted the morale at Old Trafford ahead of the visit of the leaders.

Angel di Maria is likely to overcome a thigh problem to start against the Blues, while Ander Herrera has been declared fit despite aggravating a rib problem in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.

Michael Carrick is also pushing for a starting role after returning to the first-team squad at The Hawthorns, but Wayne Rooney sits out one again as he continues to serve his three-match ban.

Van Gaal must also decide whether to recall striker Radamel Falcao, who was relegated to the substitutes' bench for the last game.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho told reporters on Friday afternoon that striker Diego Costa has a "little chance" of featuring in the game in the North-West.

The Spanish international, who has scored nine goals in as many games since his move from Atletico Madrid, has been suffering with a hamstring problem and a virus but he could make the bench after returning to training on Friday.

Mourinho's striking options have been hit by the absence of Loic Remy, but Didier Drogba is fit as he searches for his first league goal since his return to the club.

Filipe Luis will start at left-back after Cesar Azpilicueta was sent off in the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace last Saturday, while Thibaut Courtois and Gary Cahill will return after being rested for the Champions League triumph over Maribor.

Recent form

Manchester United: DWLWWD

Chelsea: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Herrera, Mata, Di Maria; Falcao, Van Persie

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Drogba

Sports Mole says: 2-2


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The Chelsea team pose for the cameras prior to kickoff the UEFA Champions League Group G match between Chelsea and FC Schalke 04 on September 17, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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