Chelsea vs Manchester United team news: Radamel Falcao starts for United while Kurt Zouma returns for the Premier League leaders

Team news from the Premier League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United

Jack de Menezes
Saturday 18 April 2015 11:54 EDT
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Radamel Falcao faces an uncertain future at United
Radamel Falcao faces an uncertain future at United (Getty Images)

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Radamel Falcao makes his return to the Manchester United starting line-up after nearly two months for the hotly-anticipated Premier League clash against leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

United manager Louis van Gaal makes three changes to the side that beat rivals Manchester City 4-2 last weekend, with Falcao joined by Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw in the starting line-up. Shaw returns from injury in place of the injured Daley Blind having not played since the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in March, while McNair replaces Phil Jones who also misses out through injury.

Michael Carrick is a notable absentee in the midfield, so Wayne Rooney is likely to drop back with Falcao leading the attack, while Robin van Persie is fit enough to return to the bench having not played since the defeat to Swansea in February.

Jose Mourinho makes two changes to his Chelsea side following the 1-0 win over QPR last time out. Kurt Zouma comes into the midfield, in a bid to null the threat of Marouane Fellaini, while Oscar replaces Willian on the right.

Didier Drogba continues in attack with no Diego Costa or Loic Remy, so 17-year-old striker Dominic Solanke is named on the bench.

Line-ups:

Chelsea: Courtois, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Matic, Oscar, Fabregas, Hazard, Drogba.

Subs: Cech, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Ramires, Cuadrado, Willian, Solanke

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, McNair, Shaw, Mata, Rooney, Herrera, Young, Fellaini, Falcao.

Subs: Valdes, Blackett, Rafael, Di Maria, Januzaj, Pereira, Van Persie

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