Football fans are turning their attention to a highly anticipated Premier League clash as Chelsea host Manchester United at home in the ninth round of the competition. Chelsea go into the match in fifth place with 13 points from 8 games, while Manchester United sit sixteenth with 7 points. Chelsea come into the game after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the EFL Cup and a 0-2 home defeat to Tottenham in the league. Manchester United, meanwhile, lost 0-3 at home to Bournemouth in the league and 1-4 away to Como in the Champions League.
When is the Chelsea vs Manchester United match?
The match will be played on Saturday 31 October 2026 at Chelsea’s stadium. Kick-off is at 13:30 Morocco and Algeria time, 14:30 Egypt time, and 15:30 Saudi Arabia time.
What channels are showing Chelsea vs Manchester United?
In the Middle East and North Africa, the match will be broadcast on beIN SPORTS 1, according to the official beIN schedule. In Germany and Croatia, the match will be shown on Arena Sport 1. Please note that the channel may vary depending on the package and country, so fans are advised to check their local TV guide.
Key absences
Both teams go into the match with significant absences in their squads.
- Chelsea: E. Martínez — injured (fractured jaw)
- Jamie Gittens — injured (ankle injury)
- João Pedro — injured (muscle injury) — one of the league’s top scorers
- Maxence Lacroix — injured (hamstring injury)
- Bib Tchavarria — injured (knee injury)
- Reece James — injured (knee injury)
Manchester United are without:
- Benjamin Šeško — injured (leg injury)
- Karl Darlow — injured (knee injury)
- Manuel Ugarte — injured (ACL injury)
- Patrick Dorgu — injured (hamstring injury)
- T. Heaton — injured (abdominal injury)
The absence of João Pedro is significant as he is one of the league’s top scorers, placing an additional attacking burden on Chelsea.
Team line-ups
Expected Chelsea line-up
Chelsea are likely to play a 4-3-3 formation, based on the last official starting line-up they used in the match against Liverpool on 28 October 2026, excluding injured players. The line-up may change according to the coach’s vision.
- Goalkeeper: Mike Penders
- Defence: J. Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, M. Gusto (instead of the injured Lacroix)
- Midfield: Moisés Caicedo (captain), R. Lavia, Jordan Henderson, P. Neto, M. Rogers
- Attack: Danny Welbeck
Expected Manchester United line-up
Manchester United are expected to rely on a 4-2-3-1 formation, based on the last official starting line-up in the match against Bournemouth on 25 October 2026, excluding injured players. The line-up is subject to change.
- Goalkeeper: S. Lammens
- Defence: L. Yoro, Harry Maguire (captain), A. Heaven, Diogo Dalot
- Midfield: André Santos, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo, Y. Tielemans, M. Mount
- Attack: B. Mbeumo
Further developments regarding the final line-ups are expected in the coming hours, with continuous monitoring of all announcements from both clubs.
