Ruud van Nistelrooy has made it clear he expects one specific Manchester United player to shut down Cole Palmer, saying, “All I’m asking is for him to silence Palmer, and if he fails, he’ll face suspension… Winning is a must for us.” But can he really stop Palmer? 🤔

Following thorough examination, the source of the recent earthquake-like disturbance was traced to the southwest of Manchester, England, near Matt Busby Way. This was no natural quake, however; it was the collective exhale of thousands of Manchester United fans celebrating a 5-2 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester City, marking the end of Erik Ten Hag’s managerial tenure.

This win brings up key questions. Was this match just a brief release of excitement, or does it signify a more promising future? There’s uncertainty about the immediate leadership as well; it remains unclear if interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead United against Chelsea on Sunday or if Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim will step in by then.

Despite the optimism sparked by their recent win, the reality at Manchester United remains challenging. The club sits in a disappointing 14th place in the Premier League, equidistant from the relegation zone and fourth place, currently occupied by Aston Villa. United has only secured three league victories, each against mid-table or struggling teams—Brentford, Fulham, and Southampton.

On the positive side, young talent Alejandro Garnacho has been a rare bright spot for United, showing growth and resilience. He has put in strong performances in four of his last five games, scoring against Brentford on October 19 and contributing a goal and an assist in the Carabao Cup win over Leicester.

In the Europa League match against Fenerbahce on October 24, Garnacho didn’t score but played a solid role, completing 85% of his passes and winning the majority of his duels on the field.

In the upcoming Premier League fixture, Garnacho will need to be at his best as United faces a high-flying Chelsea team that has won eight of their last 10 matches across all competitions and sits fifth in the league, only a point behind Aston Villa and Arsenal.

Chelsea’s recent performances have been bolstered by the impressive Cole Palmer, who was instrumental in their latest league match against Newcastle. In the 18th minute, Palmer set up a goal with a precise long pass to Pedro Neto, who assisted Nicolas Jackson on the finish. After Newcastle equalized, Palmer took charge again, scoring a stunning goal just after halftime, helping Chelsea to a 2-1 win. A few days later, manager Enzo Maresca rotated the lineup against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, which ended in a 2-0 loss.

Palmer has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, accumulating seven goals and five assists in just 11 matches. As United prepares to face Chelsea, they will need to contend with Palmer’s skill and Chelsea’s strong form.