Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been restored to the starting line-up for Saturday's Premier League match at Chelsea, according to Manchester Evening News. Head coach Michael Carrick also included Kobbie Mainoo among the substitutes for the game at Stamford Bridge.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Carrick believes Fernandes' experience will benefit United against Chelsea this afternoon. The teams were confirmed shortly before the 12:00 GMT update on the outlet's live coverage.
United's XI as listed by the Manchester Evening News: Lammens, Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Baleba, Santos, Fernandes, Amad, Cunha, Mbeumo. Chelsea's XI: Penders, Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra, Caicedo, Lavia, Neto, Palmer, Estevao, Rogers.
Why it matters
Fernandes' return ends a short but turbulent spell on the sidelines. According to the Manchester Evening News, the United captain was left out last weekend after criticising Carrick's tactics following a Champions League defeat to Como. He did not come off the bench during a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.
The outlet reports that Carrick appeared likely to lose his job after that defeat, but retained it following crisis talks. The head coach and captain then held a clear-the-air meeting on Tuesday. In his pre-match press conference, Carrick said the matter between the two had been resolved, per the Manchester Evening News.
Selecting Fernandes for a fixture the outlet describes as must-win puts that claim to an immediate test. It also hands the captaincy back to a player whose public criticism of the manager had made his position at the club the central story of the week.
Carrick's midfield reshuffle
Mainoo's place on the bench is the other notable call. The Manchester Evening News reports his return to the matchday squad as part of the same team announcement, without indicating whether he is expected to feature.
United's midfield against Chelsea consists of Baleba and Santos alongside Fernandes, with Amad, Cunha and Mbeumo further forward and Lammens in goal. The back line named by the outlet is Yoro, Maguire, Martinez and Dalot.
Chelsea, meanwhile, start Palmer and Neto in attacking roles, with Caicedo and Lavia in midfield and Penders in goal. The Chelsea line-up was also published by the club's official website, one of the outlets carrying confirmed team news ahead of kick-off.
What to watch
Whether Fernandes' reinstatement steadies United at Stamford Bridge, and whether Mainoo is called upon from the bench, will be the immediate points of interest as Carrick's side attempt to respond to last weekend's defeat.
