Chelsea vs Manchester United team news: Alexis Sanchez left on the bench, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku start
Sanchez was in contention to start following injuries to Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial
Alexis Sanchez has been named on the substitutes’ bench for Manchester United’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Chelsea.
Sanchez was criticised for his performance as a substitute in last week’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain but then received public backing from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Even so, Solskjaer has overlooked the Chilean and opted to start Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku against Chelsea in the absences of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.
Lingard and Martial were injured in the defeat to PSG, coming off with hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
Sergio Romero, United’s second-choice goalkeeper, is named ahead of David de Gea.
Maurizio Sarri names a side close to full strength, with Mateo Kovacic in midfield and Pedro in the front three alongside Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain.
Willian, Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud are named on the bench while Kepa Arrizabalaga starts ahead of Willy Caballero in goal.
Line-ups
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kanté, Jorginho, Kovacic; Pedro, Higuain, Hazard.
Substitutes: Caballero, Christensen, Zappacosta, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Willian, Grioud
Manchester United: Romero; Young, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Mata, Lukaku, Rashford.
Substitutes: De Gea, Bailly, Dalot, Fred, McTominay, Pereira, Sanchez.
Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire)
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