Chelsea line-up v Man United: Legend to solve striker shortage?

Old friends Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal meet for the first time in the Premier League when Chelsea take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The unbeaten Blues are riding high after an emphatic 6-0 Champions League win over Maribor and are seeking their seventh successive victory over the Red Devils in all competitions.

In his pre-match press conference, Mourinho called Van Gaal an important figure in his early career but said his confident and happy team was going up north to win.

The Portuguese manager ruled Loic Remy out for two to three weeks but said Ramires and John Obi Mikel were close to returning, while Diego Costa trained individually and could also play despite an overnight hospital stay this week.

Here’s how Chelsea could line up against Manchester United:

Goalkeeper
Chelsea rested Thibault Courtois in their midweek win and even though Petr Cech kept another clean sheet, Mourinho confirmed the Belgian will start. The goals that Courtois keeps conceding are irrelevant for now but sooner or later they will be costly. Thankfully Cech is waiting in the wings.

Defence
John Terry capped a magnificent defensive performace with a great goal against Maribor and will not fear United’s Angel di Maria and Radamel Falco should they start. Branislav Ivanovic also played well and can bomb forward backed up by a rested Gary Cahill. With Cesar Azpilicueta banned following a red card at Crystal Palace, Filipe Luis should get his first Premier League start.

Midfield
Nemanja Mati? is an unsung hero no more and should create the midfield magic to destroy United alongside partner in crime Cesc Fabregas. Eden Hazard’s midweek brace proves that his flashes of brilliance are becoming more consistent and playmaker Oscar has raised his game similarly. Andre Schurrle could return and be deployed to support Didier Drogba up front.

Attack
Chelsea’s striker crisis is less serious than feared. Remy is out but Drogba and Costa could share striker duties on Sunday. Mourinho praised the Ivorian’s performance against Crystal Palace and he scored a penalty midweek. Drogba is likely to start with Costa on the bench ready to be risked it needed. It takes more than a virus to keep the Spaniard out of a match-day squad.

How do you think Chelsea will get on against Manchester United? Let us know below...