Chelsea, Manchester United Play FA Cup Final Rematch on Monday
Olivier Giroud and Ross Barkley celebrate as their goals put Chelsea Football Club up 2-1 in the Europa League versus Malmö. | Photo: AP Images
Chelsea Football Club plays Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup – with the Red Devils hoping to avenge a 1-0 loss to the Blues in last season’s FA Cup final. The 12-time champions visit Stamford Bridge Monday, where Chelsea has not lost a FA Cup match since losing 4-2 versus League One side Bradford City in 2015.
A Rivalry Reborn
Chelsea has beaten Manchester United in five of the 14 FA Cup meetings – including the last four meetings in the competition (2007, 2013, 2017 and 2018). The Blues have won 1-0 in the last three meetings, with the Red Devils only two defeats since 2017 coming against Chelsea.
Manchester United is the last team to disallow Chelsea from scoring at home, beating the Blues 2-0 in a 1999 quarterfinals replay thanks to a brace from Dwight Yorke.
Last Time Out
Both clubs were busy midweek, as Chelsea faced Malmö in the Europa League Thursday. The Blues continued their winning streak in Europe, winning 2-1 inside Swedbank Stadion. English attacking midfielder Ross Barkley opened the scoring in the 30th minute, using a great first touch to put put away a cross from Pedro. In the 58th minute, Olivier Giroud backheeled a cross into the net from Willian. Malmö got one back in the 80th minute, as Anders Christiansen’s scored off a counterattack.
Giroud emphasized postgame how the club must remain focused in the return leg.
On the other hand, Manchester United suffered its first defeat under Interim Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Tuesday. The club lost 2-0 versus PSG in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe’s second-half goals were the difference at Old Trafford.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea Assistant First Team Coach Gianfranco Zola answered questions about United and the Chelsea squad leading up to Monday.
The Blues have yet to concede in the cup and have only allowed 29 goals in the English Premier League this season. However, Chelsea lost 4-0 to Bournemouth and 6-0 to Manchester City in two of the last three league games.
Zola said the team has no injuries heading into Monday. When asked about English midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s back injury, Zola said the club is hopeful he is fit to play.
“We have Ruben Loftus-Cheek who is maybe going to be available,” Zola said. “We haven’t spoken about the team but because it’s the fifth round, and who we are playing against, we want to win and go through so I believe it’s going to be a strong team. But we haven’t made full consideration yet.”
Zola expressed his happiness for Solskjaer, as they both completed a coaching course together in the past.
“What he has done in a small amount of time is quite remarkable,” Zola said.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. EST.