“My Head Tells Me They Will Win” – Chris Sutton Makes Safe Prediction as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Manchester United Locks Horns With Chelsea

Former Celtic star Chris Sutton has predicted the outcome of the blockbuster Premier League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea. Sutton thinks Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side will have a hard time against Enzo Maresca’s men but will manage to avoid defeat.

Manchester United Enjoyed Dream Start Under Ruud van Nistelrooy

Manchester United sacked under-fire manager Erik ten Hag on Monday (October 28), appointing Nistelrooy as the club’s interim manager. United is close to appointing Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim as Ten Hag’s permanent successor, but it will be a while before he appears in the dugout.

Nistelrooy may very well be on borrowed time, but he is giving his interim position the devotion it deserves. He fielded a strong XI in the Carabao Cup Round-of-16-clash against Leicester City on Wednesday (October 30) and oversaw a thumping 5-2 victory. Casemiro (brace), Bruno Fernandes (brace), and Alejandro Garnacho were on the scoresheet for United.

Chris Sutton Backs Man Utd to Restrict Chelsea to a 1-1 Draw

Now, the attention turns to the Premier League, where Man Utd are enduring their worst-ever start to a campaign. Nistelrooy, overseeing 14th-placed Man Utd, will meet Maresca, who is in charge of fifth-placed Chelsea, on his Premier League debut this Sunday, November 3. And the Dutchman would like nothing more than to secure three points in front of the capacity crowd at Old Trafford.

Here is how BBC pundit Sutton thinks the game will unfold:

“It looks like Ruben Amorim will be the new Manchester United manager but will not be arriving for a few weeks. In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy is in charge as interim boss and he enjoyed himself against Leicester in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

“The Chelsea players will be well-rested because their team that lost to Newcastle in the same competition on Wednesday was totally different to the side that beat the Magpies in the league on Sunday.”

He added:

“But Newcastle did create chances against them last weekend and, when I saw Chelsea against Liverpool recently, they were brave at Anfield too.

“I see Chelsea as being the superior team here and my head tells me they will win, but if they are quite open again at Old Trafford then that could suit Manchester United and let them get something.”

Sutton’s prediction: Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea

Manchester United came out on top in this fixture last season, with Scott McTominay scoring a brace for the hosts.