Manchester United head to Chelsea for a 12.30pm Saturday kick-off, with opinion suggesting the club must bench Amad Diallo and give teenager Shea Lacey his chance to avoid another disaster.
The match is seen as a potential turning point for manager Michael Carrick, whose side have struggled this season. The biggest problem facing United is the lack of firepower up front, with no out-and-out striker available.
Striker crisis and team changes
Benjamin Sesko's dodgy shins have failed him and he will not be seen on the pitch before the New Year. Joshua Zirkzee may be decent on the ball but does not have the pace to trouble any defence, with the view expressed that he is not good enough for United.
One thing not wanted at Stamford Bridge is Bruno Fernandes playing as a striker. Although he has had a shocker so far this season, he is still the best player and needs to be playing just behind a target man, which looks like it may have to be Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo.
It is noted as good that Bruno and the manager have had clear-the-air talks this week after the former's criticism of tactics. To have any chance of succeeding, United need him playing and playing well.
Amad Diallo benched for Shea Lacey
Amad Diallo has also had a shocker since his injury return and should be benched so that Shea Lacey can finally get his chance. United's midfield is boosted by the return of Kobbie Mainoo, with expectations that Carrick will pack that area as he did against Leeds, with Baleba and Santos providing the wall.
The honest truth is that you just don't know what to expect from this dispirited United side, but if Carrick cannot get a performance out of them against Chelsea then the delayed writing will have to be on the wall for him.
Playing away from home may be a benefit too. United have been shocking at trying to dictate games at home and folded under Bournemouth's press at Old Trafford. Maybe not having as much of the ball, sitting in a low block and hitting Chelsea on the break is the way to go.
So keep things tight, break quickly when you get the chance and be clinical in front of goal. That is what Bournemouth did to United. And please play for your manager, who is doing his best in trying financial circumstances.
