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Chelsea's bid to overcome fellow Champions League contenders Manchester United has been further complicated by the absence of their injured leading scorer João Pedro.
Pedro's exclusion came as a surprise. Liam Rosenior gave no indication of the striker's unavailability during his pre-match press conference, and the forward had been expected to spearhead the attack against a depleted United backline hampered by injuries.
However, the Chelsea manager has since confirmed that Pedro has been sidelined with a thigh injury, leaving him unable to even take a place on the bench.
The Blues have drifted out of the top five over the past month in their push to secure Champions League football next season, sitting four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool ahead of Man Utd's visit.
Rosenior is in urgent need of three points against the Red Devils to narrow the gap and restore confidence following five losses in their last six outings, including a heavy 3–0 defeat to Manchester City the previous Sunday.
Chelsea Confirmed XI vs. Man Utd
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Robert Sánchez; Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Marc Cucurella; Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo; Estêvão, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Liam Delap.
Substitutes: Teddy Sharman-Lowe (GK), Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Andrey Santos, Dário Essugo, Roméo Lavia, Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guiu.
Rosenior has turned to summer signing Liam Delap to fill the No. 9 role in Pedro's absence, with the Englishman eager to break a prolonged goal drought against United. He has not found the net in any competition since scoring in a loss at Fulham in early January and is yet to score under his former Hull City boss.
Enzo Fernández has also been restored to the starting eleven for the United fixture. The midfielder served an internal suspension for the previous two games following remarks made regarding reported interest from Real Madrid, but has now been reintegrated into the squad. Notably, however, he has not been handed the captain's armband in Reece James's absence—that honour remains with Moisés Caicedo.
When Will Joao Pedro Return for Chelsea?
Pedro's absence will be keenly felt, particularly amid Chelsea's recent poor run of form, though Rosenior is optimistic about having him available for Tuesday's fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion—the club from which Pedro was signed last summer.
"João 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," Rosenior told reporters over the weekend.
Following the midweek trip to the south coast, Chelsea face fierce rivals Leeds United in the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, April 26. With the historic cup competition representing the club's only remaining chance of a trophy this season, Rosenior will be desperate to have his first-choice striker fully fit and ready to play.