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Radamel Falcao makes his return to the Manchester United starting line-up after nearly two months for the hotly-anticipated Premier League clash against leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
United manager Louis van Gaal makes three changes to the side that beat rivals Manchester City 4-2 last weekend, with Falcao joined by Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw in the starting line-up. Shaw returns from injury in place of the injured Daley Blind having not played since the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in March, while McNair replaces Phil Jones who also misses out through injury.
Michael Carrick is a notable absentee in the midfield, so Wayne Rooney is likely to drop back with Falcao leading the attack, while Robin van Persie is fit enough to return to the bench having not played since the defeat to Swansea in February.
Jose Mourinho makes two changes to his Chelsea side following the 1-0 win over QPR last time out. Kurt Zouma comes into the midfield, in a bid to null the threat of Marouane Fellaini, while Oscar replaces Willian on the right.
Show all 24 1 /24Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings CHELSEA: Thibaut Courtois - 6/10 Not very busy, but saved well from Falcao in the first half and commanded his penalty area
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Branislav Ivanovic - 5 Often left isolated against Luke Shaw and Ashley Young but coped as well as he could.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Gary Cahill - 6 Did not allow United to run in behind him, avoided conceding late penalty.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings John Terry - 7 Won his physical battle with Falcao comfortably. Might have been different had he been facing Rooney up front.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 6 Barely got forward to attack but it was not that sort of afternoon for Chelsea. Defended well.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Kurt Zouma - 5 Brought back into midfield, Zouma stuck well to Marouane Fellaini, without doing much in possession.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Nemanja Matic - 6 Relished the physical battle and gave United more of a fight than Yaya Touré managed last Sunday.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Cesc Fabregas - 5 Despite platform of two holders, he struggled again to dictate play, he was often outmanoeuvred by Herrera.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Oscar - 5 Smart backheel for Hazard’s goal but let Luke Shaw rampage down the left too many times.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Eden Hazard - 8 Proved once again why he is going to be footballer of the year with a brilliant goal.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Didier Drogba - 5 Worked heroically hard and nearly scored, but did not look quick or sharp enough any more to play at this level.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Best off the bench: Ramires - 6 Did a better job than Oscar of shutting down the right flank once he came on.
Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings MANCHESTER UNITED: David De Gea - 4 Beaten through his legs with Chelsea’s first attack and chipped by Drogba with their second.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Antonio Valencia - 5 Did not enjoy going one on one with Hazard but which full-back has this season?
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Paddy McNair - 6 Back after two months out, the teenager defended well and always looked comfortable in possession.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Chris Smalling - 6 The new leader of United’s back-line, his position was good and he organised with maturity.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Luke Shaw - 6 Impressed on his first league start for two months, bursting down the left with plenty of pace and ambition.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Marouane Fellaini - 5 Chelsea are too good in the air for Fellaini to cause them problems, he was largely ineffective.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Ander Herrera - 6 Played the Michael Carrick role with class and assurance, dropping between the centre-backs and keeping possession.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Juan Mata - 5 Drifted dangerously but could not find the decisive final pass when United were on top.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Ashley Young - 5 Not as influential as he has been in recent weeks, with delivery often disappointing.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Wayne Rooney - 6 Forced back into midfield, he worked hard and passed well. Would have been a better option up front than Falcao.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Radamel Falcao - 5 Dismal in the first half, slightly sharpened up after, and hit the post late on.
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Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 player ratings Best off the bench: Angel Di Maria - 6 Added some spark in the final 20 minutes, but not enough to get his side back in the match.
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Didier Drogba continues in attack with no Diego Costa or Loic Remy, so 17-year-old striker Dominic Solanke is named on the bench.
Line-ups:
Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Matic, Oscar, Fabregas, Hazard, Drogba.
Subs: Cech, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Ramires, Cuadrado, Willian, Solanke
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, McNair, Shaw, Mata, Rooney, Herrera, Young, Fellaini, Falcao.
Subs: Valdes, Blackett, Rafael, Di Maria, Januzaj, Pereira, Van Persie
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