Joao Pedro out of Chelsea vs Manchester United due to injury

Joao Pedro has missed Chelsea’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Saturday due to injury.

The Brazil international is Chelsea’s top scorer this season with 19 goals in all competitions.

However, Liam Rosenior has been forced to make a change for United’s visit to Stamford Bridge with Liam Delap starting in attack for Chelsea.

It is understood that Pedro has been ruled out of Chelsea’s game against United due to a thigh injury.

Chelsea are hopeful that the 24-year-old will be able to return for their next Premier League game away to Brighton on Tuesday night.

Chelsea vs Man United confirmed teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Neto, Palmer, Estevao; Delap

Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Acheampong, Chalobah, Tosin, Andrey Santos, Essugo, Lavia, Garnacho, Guiu

Man Utd: Lammens; Dalot, Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha

Subs: Bayindir, Malacia, Mount, T. Fletcher, Thwaites, Ugarte, Amad, Lacey, Zirkzee

Speaking before kick-off, Rosenior said: ‘Joao felt his thigh a few days ago.

‘He was touch and go for this one, so hopefully we’ll have him back for Brighton on Tuesday.’

Asked how it changes Chelsea’s attack with Delap starting instead, Rosenior replied: ‘Not too much. They’re a different profile of striker – Liam likes to stretch and run behind, Joao likes to play to feet.

‘But we feel like Liam has been really pushing for his opportunity to play and hopefully goes out there and takes it.’

Elsewhere, Enzo Fernandez returns to Chelsea’s starting line-up following his two-game internal suspension for the comments he made about Madrid during the international break.

Chelsea have lost their last three Premier League games following their 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester City last Sunday.

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