<
>

Manchester United drop top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Chelsea clash

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has dropped striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from his starting lineup to face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The omission of top scorer Ibrahimovic, who is on the bench, is one of four changes made by Mourinho.

He brings back David De Gea, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera and Ashley Young -- who will be captain -- for Sergio Romero, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic following the 1-1 Europa League draw at Anderlecht on Thursday.

Ibrahimovic had admitted he was "tired" in the draw at Anderlecht and had no issue with Jose Mourinho's criticism of the forwards for failing to take enough chances in that match.

Ahead of the game, Mourinho said: "He's tired -- very tired. I'll try to protect him but let's see the result. He's on the bench and ready to help."

Chelsea, meanwhile, are without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois but Victor Moses returns.

Earlier on Sunday, reports had suggested that Courtois had not travelled with the squad to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford after picking up an ankle injury in training. He will be replaced by Asmir Begovic.

Asked whether reports that the goalkeeper had picked up the injury while playing basketball for an advertisement, coach Antonio Conte said: "It's not important to understand the way he had this injury."

Chelsea also confirmed a late change, with Marcos Alonso suffering an injury in the warmup and Kurt Zouma replacing him.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Rojo, Darmian, Fellaini, Herrera, Young, Pogba, Lingard, Rashford.

Chelsea XI: Begovic, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro, Costa, Hazard.