One Manchester United player’s record against Chelsea suggests he needs to be the focus defensively

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Chelsea travel to Old Trafford this weekend with the aim of breaking a 12-year winless spell away to Man United.

This is as good a chance as Chelsea will get, given United’s well-documented early struggles.

Ruben Amorim is feeling the pressure, as patience wears thin in the face of poor results.

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To accomplish that goal, Enzo Maresca will be looking to limit the danger posed by the opposition. With that in mind, special attention needs to be given to a player who has been a thorn in Chelsea’s side in recent seasons.

Chelsea need to limit player with 5 goal involvements in 5 games against them

United have bolstered their attacking line considerably this summer. Perhaps the most exciting arrival is that of Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

Cunha was on Chelsea’s radar in January, but elected to make the switch to Old Trafford this summer.

In five league appearances against the Blues, Cunha has managed four goals and one assist. Three of those goals came within 90 minutes, when Wolves beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.

The Brazilian is a footballing wizard in the same mould as a Cole Palmer, able to change games with his creativity and attacking threat. If Maresca wants to blunt the United attack, limiting his impact is the way to do it.

Bryan Mbeumo also loves playing Chelsea

Cunha isn’t the only new face at United that relishes a Chelsea clash. Bryan Mbeumo has three goals and three assists in seven outings, with all of his involvements coming at Stamford Bridge.

Obviously, limiting Mbeumo is also a tough task, though the direct nature of his play makes him less of a concern.

Cunha is the one who can drive the ball all the way up the pitch, and the one who can produce moments of magic at any time.

Limiting his impact would, in turn, make it very difficult for Mbeumo to get a foothold in the game.

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United signed these two players to revitalise a forward line that has looked toothless for most of the past two seasons. It just so happens that the two players they chose are no strangers to performing against Chelsea.

This game is an opportunity to snap a streak that gets brought up each and every season. To give his side the best chance, Maresca needs to figure out how to limit Mbeumo, and even more crucially, Cunha.