Alexis
Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku could get the chance to start when Manchester
United travel to Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday
(kick-off 7.30pm).
Injuries to Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial means there is an opportunity
for the likes of Sanchez and Lukaku to feature, both of whom have been
largely restricted to bench duty under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The caretaker manager said: "It's a chance for anyone who plays, if it's
Alexis or Romelu or who starts or [Tahith] Chong or Angel [Gomes].
"Anthony and Jesse have done very well for us, they're vital in the
attacking part with their attributes with their pace but then again with Rom
and Alexis, they've got different skillsets so they will be able to show
what they can do."
Gianfranco Zola admits Chelsea are facing a crucial period in their
stuttering season, after winning two and losing two of their last four games
in all competitions by largely contrasting scorelines.
Assistant coach Zola said: "We know that it's a crucial moment. It's very
challenging, I think the key will be to face each task by only thinking
about that task.
"The first one is going to be United and we come into this game after a good
performance in the Europa League. It's a good challenge, it's actually what
we need to do right now.
"We know that we have to be consistent. We all know this. It's important
everyone knows the situation and is working on it, players, coaches and
club."
Team news
Along with Lingard and Martial - who were injured in Tuesday's 2-0 loss to
PSG in the Champions League - Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian are also
absentees because of minor injuries.
Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns ahead and will give a late fitness
test to Ruben Loftus-Cheek after the recurrence of his persistent back
problem.
Left-back Marcos Alonso could return after being omitted from Maurizio
Sarri's squad for the trip to Sweden in midweek.
Opta stats
This will be the 14th FA Cup tie between Chelsea and Manchester United - the
Blues have triumphed in each of the last four, including the final last
season.
Manchester United have lost three of their five FA Cup matches against
Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, winning 5-3 in 1997-98 and 2-0 in 1998-99.
Chelsea could become the first team to eliminate Manchester United in five
consecutive FA Cup meetings.
In all competitions, Manchester United have won just two of their last 22
away games against Chelsea (D7 L13), failing to win any of their last nine.
Manchester United have eliminated the FA Cup holders 10 times, more than any
other side in the competition's history. They last did so in 2011-12 against
Manchester City.
Chelsea are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final for the fourth
consecutive season, reaching the final in each of the last two.
Manchester United are looking to reach the FA Cup quarter-final for the
fifth consecutive season. The last did so in as many between 1961-62 and
1965-66.
The last side to eliminate both Arsenal and Chelsea in the same FA Cup
campaign were Manchester United in 1998-99, while the last side to do in
away games were Millwall in 1994-95.
Merson's prediction
United were brought back down to earth by Paris Saint-Germain the other day.
It's a hard game. Its one of those where I think Chelsea will win this. I
think that Champions League loss will knock Man Utd sideways.
They will miss Jesse Lingard, he's a bit of an unsung hero for them. When he
went off against PSG that was it then. The players that are coming in like
Alexis Sanchez have flopped.
It's a massive game for both of them. Man Utd are now are under pressure
after their first-leg loss to PSG in the Champions League. Their season
could go up in flames in a week because if they get beat here they are out
of the FA Cup and are facing an uphill task to stay in the Champions League.
This period for me is when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to get the job or
not.
MERSE PREDICTS: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
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