Palmer Returns as Chelsea Name Strong XI Against Man Utd

October 31, 2026 Quadri Olaitan

Cole Palmer, Estevao and Romeo Lavia return to Chelsea’s starting line-up, while Bruno Fernandes leads Manchester United at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have named Cole Palmer, Estevao and Romeo Lavia in their starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League encounter against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

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Palmer returns to the first XI after serving a one-match suspension, while Brazilian youngster Estevao has been handed a starting opportunity following his absence from the starting line-up in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Lavia also earns a place in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, who captains the Blues for the encounter.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has selected Mike Penders in goal, with Marco Palestra, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Josh Acheampong forming the defensive line.

Caicedo and Lavia will operate in midfield, while Estevao, Palmer and Pedro Neto are expected to support Morgan Rogers in attack.

Chelsea’s starting XI is: Penders; Palestra, Colwill, Fofana, Acheampong; Lavia, Caicedo; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.

Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has named Senne Lammens in goal, with Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro in defence.

Bruno Fernandes captains the visitors, with Amad Diallo, Andrey Santos, Bryan Mbeumo, Carlos Baleba and Matheus Cunha also included in the starting line-up.

Manchester United’s starting XI is: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Yoro; Fernandes, Cunha, Amad, Santos, Mbeumo, Baleba.

Fernandes returns to the starting side after being an unused substitute in United’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

Several players are missing from both matchday squads. Chelsea are without Reece James, João Pedro, Maxence Lacroix, Jorrel Hato, Emiliano Martínez, Jamie Gittens and Aaron Anselmino.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are missing Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Šeško, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo.

Palmer’s return is a notable boost for Chelsea after his suspension, which ruled him out of the midweek Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool following his red card in the previous match.