Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 7:59 PM• Tom Rofekamp • Last update: 21:43

Erik ten Hag has announced his line-up for the home game against Chelsea. The Manchester United manager makes zero changes from the starting line-up against Bournemouth, leaving Wout Weghorst and Tyrell Malacia to start on the bench again. With at least one point, United is sure of direct Champions League qualification. The game at Old Trafford kicks off at 9 p.m. Dutch time and can be seen on via play.

The fact that Ten Hag starts with the same eleven as against Bournemouth means that David de Gea is on target. The defense is formed from left to right by Luke Shaw, Victor Lindelöf, Raphaël Varane and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The controlling block in midfield consists of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, while captain Bruno Fernandes is the playmaker. The wings are covered by Jadon Sancho and Antony; Antony Martial is the most advanced man. Weghorst and Malacia must once again hope for a substitute. Marcus Rashford returns from injury, but starts on the bench.

It has been the question for weeks on which side of ‘the line’ Ten Hag and United will end up. The first two games of May were still lost, but victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers (2-0) and Bournemouth (0-1) the Red Devils three points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool with two games to go. Jürgen Klopp’s team also has only one game left to play. With at least a point, United will therefore enter the Champions League next season, and Liverpool will have to be satisfied with the second club tournament in Europe.

Opponent Chelsea has nothing to play for on Wednesday except for the honour. Things are also not going smoothly under interim manager Frank Lampard and in the nine games under his leadership, only one win was won (against Bournemouth, 1-3). Chelsea are currently twelfth and can neither relegate nor advance to places that are good for European football. The duel at Old Trafford is officiated by referee Stuart Attwell and his corps.

Manchester United line-up: DeGea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; martial

Chelsea line-up: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Fofana, Hall; Chukwuemeka, Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Havertz, Mudryk