EPL: Bruno Fernandes returns as Chelsea, Man Utd starting XIs confirmed
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Daily Post Nigeria
Reported by Ifreke Inyang
Sat, 31 Oct 2026, 12:02
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Bruno Fernandes is back to captain Manchester United, after being dropped for last weekend's home defeat by Bournemouth.It is one of three changes made by manager Michael Carrick, with Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha also brought into the starting XI.Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans are among the substitutes, while Kobbie Mainoo is also on the bench after missing United's last four games through injury.Estevao comes in for his first Premier League start of the season, as Xabi Alonso makes four changes to the Chelsea XI that started Wednesday's EFL Cup loss at Liverpool.The Brazilian winger comes in alongside defenders Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra, while Cole Palmer returns after suspension.Malo Gusto and Danny Welbeck drop to the bench, Maxence Lacroix is out with a hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson is a surprise absentee from the squad.Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Barco, Welbeck, Emegha, Quenda, Gusto, Chavarria, Nicoll-Jazuli, Subuloye.Manchester United XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Mount, Zirkzee, Tielemans, Heaven, Lacey, Mainoo.
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Key Figures & Named Entities
Wednesday:Bruno Fernandes is back to captain Manchester United, after being dropped for last weekend's home defeat by Bournemouth.It is one of three changes made by manager Michael Carrick, with Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha also brought into the starting XI.Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans are among the substitutes, while Kobbie Mainoo is also on the bench after missing United's last four games through injury.Estevao comes in for his first Premier League start of the season, as Xabi Alonso makes four changes to the Chelsea XI that started Wednesday's EFL Cup loss at Liverpool.The Brazilian winger comes in alongside defenders Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra, while Cole Palmer returns after suspension.Malo Gusto and Danny Welbeck drop to the bench, Maxence Lacroix is out with a hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson is a surprise absentee from the squad.Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Barco, Welbeck, Emegha, Quenda, Gusto, Chavarria, Nicoll-Jazuli, Subuloye.Manchester United XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Mount, Zirkzee, Tielemans, Heaven, Lacey, Mainoo.
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Key Takeaways
Verified Extract
✦Bruno Fernandes is back to captain Manchester United, after being dropped for last weekend's home defeat by Bournemouth.It is one of three changes made by manager Michael Carrick, with Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha also brought into the starting XI.Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans are among the substitutes, while Kobbie Mainoo is also on the bench after missing United's last four games through injury.Estevao comes in for his first Premier League start of the season, as Xabi Alonso makes four changes to the Chelsea XI that started Wednesday's EFL Cup loss at Liverpool.The Brazilian winger comes in alongside defenders Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra, while Cole Palmer returns after suspension.Malo Gusto and Danny Welbeck drop to the bench, Maxence Lacroix is out with a hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson is a surprise absentee from the squad.Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Barco, Welbeck, Emegha, Quenda, Gusto, Chavarria, Nicoll-Jazuli, Subuloye.Manchester United XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Mount, Zirkzee, Tielemans, Heaven, Lacey, Mainoo.
Key Facts:Wednesday: Bruno Fernandes is back to captain Manchester United, after being dropped for last weekend's home defeat by Bournemouth.It is one of three changes made by manager Michael Carrick, with Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha also brought into the starting XI.Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans are among the substitutes, while Kobbie Mainoo is also on the bench after missing United's last four games through injury.Estevao comes in for his first Premier League start of the season, as Xabi Alonso makes four changes to the Chelsea XI that started Wednesday's EFL Cup loss at Liverpool.The Brazilian winger comes in alongside defenders Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra, while Cole Palmer returns after suspension.Malo Gusto and Danny Welbeck drop to the bench, Maxence Lacroix is out with a hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson is a surprise absentee from the squad.Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Barco, Welbeck, Emegha, Quenda, Gusto, Chavarria, Nicoll-Jazuli, Subuloye.Manchester United XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Mount, Zirkzee, Tielemans, Heaven, Lacey, Mainoo.
Editorial Excerpt
Bruno Fernandes is back to captain Manchester United, after being dropped for last weekend's home defeat by Bournemouth.It is one of three changes made by manager Michael Carrick, with Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha also brought into the starting XI.Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Youri...
Frequently Asked Questions About This Story
What is the key takeaway from this report?
Bruno Fernandes is back to captain Manchester United, after being dropped for last weekend's home defeat by Bournemouth.It is one of three changes made by manager Michael Carrick, with Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha also brought into the starting XI.Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans are among the substitutes, while Kobbie Mainoo is also on the bench after missing United's last four games through injury.Estevao comes in for his first Premier League start of the season, as Xabi Alonso makes four changes to the Chelsea XI that started Wednesday's EFL Cup loss at Liverpool.The Brazilian winger comes in alongside defenders Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra, while Cole Palmer returns after suspension.Malo Gusto and Danny Welbeck drop to the bench, Maxence Lacroix is out with a hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson is a surprise absentee from the squad.Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Barco, Welbeck, Emegha, Quenda, Gusto, Chavarria, Nicoll-Jazuli, Subuloye.Manchester United XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Mount, Zirkzee, Tielemans, Heaven, Lacey, Mainoo.
What timeline or key figures were confirmed?
Bruno Fernandes is back to captain Manchester United, after being dropped for last weekend's home defeat by Bournemouth.It is one of three changes made by manager Michael Carrick, with Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha also brought into the starting XI.Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans are among the substitutes, while Kobbie Mainoo is also on the bench after missing United's last four games through injury.Estevao comes in for his first Premier League start of the season, as Xabi Alonso makes four changes to the Chelsea XI that started Wednesday's EFL Cup loss at Liverpool.The Brazilian winger comes in alongside defenders Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra, while Cole Palmer returns after suspension.Malo Gusto and Danny Welbeck drop to the bench, Maxence Lacroix is out with a hamstring injury and Jordan Henderson is a surprise absentee from the squad.Chelsea XI: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra; Caicedo, Lavia; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Rogers.Subs: Sharman-Lowe, Barco, Welbeck, Emegha, Quenda, Gusto, Chavarria, Nicoll-Jazuli, Subuloye.Manchester United XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Santos, Baleba; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.Subs: Darlow, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Mount, Zirkzee, Tielemans, Heaven, Lacey, Mainoo.
