Manchester United vs Chelsea has always been a classic Premier League fixture but this time the stakes are officially raised for the FA Cup final is being contested between the two English giants and the lineups for the tie at Wembley Stadium have been revealed.
🔴 Introducing #MUFC‘s #EmiratesFACup final starting line-up! 🔴 #ForUnited pic.twitter.com/OnPVGTrJfM
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 19, 2018
Jose Mourinho has sent out the Red Devils in their standard 4-2-3-1 formation, but the big news is that Romelu Lukaku has not passed a late fitness test and is on the bench.
Marcus Rashford leads the line for United, flanked by Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard, with Paul Pobga in close proximity.
Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic are the central midfielders while goalkeeper David de Gea starts behind a back-four of Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia.
Today’s team: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill (c), Rudiger, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Alonso, Hazard, Giroud.
Subs: Caballero, Zappacosta, Chalobah, Barkley, Pedro, Willian, Morata. #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/pSekQSv1cp
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 19, 2018
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The Blues are lining up in their customary 3-5-2, with Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud starting at the apex.
Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso are the preferred wing-backs while in midfield, Cesc Fabregas, Tiemoue Bakayoko and N’Golo Kante feature.
Thibaut Courtois retains his place between the sticks behind a back-three of Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill.
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Both sides are under pressure after disappointing seasons, but arguably it is only Antonio Conte who will be feeling the heat regardless of the result.
The Chelsea manager has been at odds with the club management and speculation that it might be his final game in charge of the Blues refuses to go away.
Mourinho would be facing a severe backlash as well, should his side fail to secure any silverware this season and hence, neither side is expected to give anything but their all in the final of the world’s oldest cup competition.
Manchester United:Â De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Valencia (C), Matic, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Sanchez and Rashford.
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Cahill (C),  Alonso, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Hazard and Giroud.Â
Match kicks off at 21.45 IST.Â