Chelsea vs Manchester United: 3 things United need to do to win

With the Premier League returning to action after the international break, Jose Mourinho's Manchester United will travel to London to face joint league leaders - Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea.

The Special One will face his former club for the seventh time since taking up the reigns at Manchester United. However, his record against his former employers is far from impressive.

Mourinho has lost 4 times and won twice, with both victories coming at home. Add the fact that the current plight at Manchester United means he will be under added pressure to deliver the results.

United are currently 8th in the table, with 13 points in 8 games under their belt. A victory against Chelsea is immensely important as it would lay a positive foundation for the Red Devils' Champions League clash against Juventus in the mid-week.

Keeping all those things in mind, here are 3 things Manchester United must do to ensure that his men grab the three points at Stamford Bridge.

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#3 Manchester United need to be more organized at the back

Eric Bailly was withdrawn early in the game against Newcastle United

Jose Mourinho will be putting a lot of emphasis on defensive work in training this week, knowing that United are facing one of the league leaders in Chelsea. In that context, the United gaffer is far from allowing his players the freedom to play on the front foot, albeit that is what they should actually be doing.

Mourinho's philosophy can't be put to blame as it has won him plenty of silverware over the years. But, his decision to apply the same to a team whose weakest link is its defence is perhaps why United have suffered so miserably.

As seen in the games against Newcastle and West Ham, the Red Devils backline seemed to lack an acute positional sense, which is why they have leaked goals following counter-attacks.

Whichever center-backs Mourinho decides to play, they will have to be constantly on their toes knowing that Sarri's team plays in an all-out attacking style.

Repeating the same mistakes might not just result in a loss but potentially a humiliation, knowing that United will play a top team at a place they haven't won at since 2012.

#2 Eden Hazard isn't the only player who needs to be kept quiet

Eden Hazard isn't the only threat Manchester United need to be wary of

Eden Hazard has been arguably the best player in the Premier League so far this campaign. The Belgian has already netted seven times in eight games for the Blues and will probably be the biggest threat this weekend.

Sarri-ball focuses on attacking heavily down the left, while the players on the right try to make an impact with fewer touches. The attacks will certainly run through Eden Hazard and the United right-back ( Young or Valencia) must make sure he doesn't let the Belgian do any damage. Since Morata and Giroud are yet to find their form up front, closing down Hazard could neutralize a massive goal threat for United.

The Chelsea no.10 is definitely the main threat that needs to be neutralized, but he isn't the only one; Chelsea's new midfield metronome Jorginho will be as much a thorn in United's side as Hazard.

The Brazilian has been impressive in a new-look Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri; he is the player who makes the Blues tick with his accurate and abundant passes all over the pitch.

With Herrera and Matic doubtful for the clash, Fellaini and Fred are almost certain to appear alongside Paul Pogba in the midfield. Fred will be tasked with a duty to disrupt Jorginho from setting the tempo for the Blues - one that he needs to carry out to perfection.

If Fred can win the midfield battle against his countryman, United will have a big chance of taking all 3 points back to Manchester.

#1 Exploit Chelsea's high defensive line

Manchester United must be clinical with their counter-attacks

Maurizio Sarri prefers a high backline which leaves little space between the midfield and the defence lines. This also helps Chelsea in functioning as a better cohesive unit by stringing passes and maintaining possession, but playing defenders high up the pitch has its own disadvantages.

Mourinho will have the chance to exploit the space the Chelsea defenders leave behind them while playing high up the field. Also, the Blues tend to make individual mistakes which give the opposition the opportunity to make fluid counter-attacks. Sarri's men were left exposed many times in the game against West Ham United, which was a direct result of playing a high defensive line

Another point that needs to be noted is how Sarri has transformed David Luiz into a ball-playing defender who starts attacks from the back. Romelu Lukaku will need to pressurize the Brazilian incessantly when not in possession to stop him from building up play from the back.

Knowing that Chelsea will be aggressive right from the start and projecting that Mourinho will ask his men to sit deep and defend rather than foray forward, counter-attacks may be United's best chance of grabbing goals.

If they are going to score, then United's front three will have to be alert to exploit the Chelsea backline by finding spaces behind the defenders. They will also require flair and the cutting edge to transition to set up counter-attacks as swiftly as possible, coupled with clinical finishing to deliver the end product.