Chelsea vs Manchester United preview: Neither manager can afford FA Cup setback

The rate at which opinion changes in football never ceases to amaze. Prior to Manchester United’s encounter with Paris Saint-Germain there were calls to make Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the club’s permanent manager. Now, after a 2-0 defeat to PSG, the Norwegian is no longer the number one choice for many supporters, with Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino back in the frame.

It is ridiculous to think that one defeat will define whether Solskjaer is the outstanding candidate to replace Jose Mourinho on a full-time basis, as it was naive to suggest he did enough in six weeks to get the job at a time when a decision need not be taken. Rather than judge Solskjaer on last week’s defeat in Europe, in which United’s limitations were laid bare, the 45-year-old knows the next month of fixtures will almost certainly decide his future.

United travel to Stamford Bridge on Monday night for their FA Cup fifth round tie with Chelsea before hosting fierce rivals Liverpool in the Premier League next weekend. The Red Devils have not tasted victory away to Chelsea since 2012 and will welcome a Liverpool outfit gunning for the league title. Beyond those fixtures, United are slated to face Crystal Palace, Southampton, PSG and Arsenal, all within a 22-day period.

It is important for Solskjaer to get things back on track sooner rather than later and victory away to Chelsea would be a huge statement. In the post-Ferguson era, United have only won two of 13 encounters with Chelsea and David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Mourinho all failed to win at Stamford Bridge. This is the third season running that United have drawn Chelsea in the FA Cup, including last year’s final, and United lost both previous ties 1-0.

Full match preview, including probable line-up and predicted score

Solskjaer is not the only manager with something to prove on Monday, however. There are also questions being asked of his opposite number, Maurizio Sarri. More serious ones, for that matter. The Italian only took charge of Chelsea last summer but now there are real doubts whether he will even last the season after 4-0 and 6-0 defeats away to Bournemouth and Manchester City, respectively, in the last month. After starting the season unbeaten in 18 competitive matches, Chelsea have, by Sarri’s own admission, taken huge backward steps.

Chelsea are only one point off fourth, will contest the Carabao Cup final next weekend and are still active in the FA Cup and Europa League. By all accounts, it is laughable to suggest Sarri is under pressure but that is the nature of the beast at Chelsea. The club have a proven track record for sacking managers when things start to turn sour and that is in danger of happing under Sarri’s watch.

It is now frequently suggested that the FA Cup has lost its magic, as top-flight sides prioritise survival and glory in the Premier League. While there is no doubt success in the Premier League will bring greater riches, the truth in the mater is that teams from the established top-six have won 29 of the last 32 FA Cup finals. You can almost certainly guarantee both managers will treat Monday’s clash as a cup final, as the repercussions of a defeat for both may trigger an irreversible run.