Roberto Di Matteo feels there are three players who will decide the outcome of Manchester United’s match against Chelsea on Saturday.
The Italian has revealed his prediction for the Premier League game and says his former club Chelsea are set for a ‘tough away day’ at Old Trafford.
Chelsea were in Champions League action on Wednesday but United are not playing in Europe this term and have had more time to rest and recover.
Both sides are looking to get back to winning ways in the top-flight with Chelsea held to a 2-2 draw by Brentford in their last Premier League clash while United lost 3-0 at Manchester City.
Chelsea have enjoyed the better start to the season, sitting fifth in the table after their opening four matches – winning two and drawing the other two.
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United, meanwhile, are 14th in the Premier League after registering one victory in their first four top-flight games – with one draw and two defeats.
‘I can’t figure out Manchester United yet,’ Di Matteo told Metro via BetVictor Online Casino. ‘They’re a little bit of an enigma.
‘You don’t really know what to expect. What I know, what I think, is that going to Old Trafford is always a tough game.
I don’t think Ruben Amorim has found has found a magic formula yet for the club or the players he has.
‘I just hope Chelsea will get a good result. On the first day of the season, Arsenal found it tough. Eventually they won it – but it’s always a tough away day… 2-1 to Chelsea.’
Di Matteo believes the match will be decided in midfield – with United’s Bruno Fernandes set for a battle with Chelsea duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
‘I think in midfield [the game will be won and lost] – Fernandes against Caicedo and Enzo,’ Di Matteo added.
‘A lot of the game will be played and decided in the middle of the park.’
United captain Fernandes scored a 97th-minute winner in the club’s last home match as they secured a 3-2 victory over Burnley.
Fernandes was linked with a shock exit in the summer transfer window – attracting interest from Saudi clubs – but he ended up staying at United.
Caicedo and Fernandez, meanwhile, have both been in stunning form so far this season, with both men scoring two goals across Chelsea’s opening four Premier League games of the 2025-26 season.
Chelsea beat United 1-0 when the sides last met at Stamford Bridge in May towards the end of last season.
The last time the two teams met at Old Trafford – in November 2024 – it ended in a 1-1 draw.
