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Chelsea line-up and team news: Has Sarri learnt his lesson or will he anger fans and Hazard by playing him out of position against top six rivals?

A trip to Manchester United poses a great opportunity for the Blues to clinch a top-four spot

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EDEN HAZARD is at the centre of everything good about Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri could still tinker with the Belgian for Sunday's game at Manchester United.

The draw with Burnley exposed the Blues' struggles in formulating a balanced attack, although Gonzalo Higuain's goal was a much needed boost to his form.

 Sarri could go a touch more defensive if Kante's out, playing Hazard centrally
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Sarri could go a touch more defensive if Kante's out, playing Hazard centrally

That said, poor showings against United and Manchester City earlier this year could see the Argentine benched, bringing Hazard into the middle of the forward-three.

It revolves around whether Sarri wants to attack or defend at Old Trafford, with the likes of Marcos Alonso and Ross Barkley more able to pressurise their out-of-form hosts.

Any fans hoping to see Olivier Giroud play instead should know the Frenchman has started just one league game since January.

And with Willian likely to be fit after a muscle problem after Callum Hudson-Odoi's season was ended, it will be interesting to see where Sarri deploys star man Hazard.

KANTE QUESTION

 Higuain in from the start would form part of a more attacking line-up
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Higuain in from the start would form part of a more attacking line-up

N'Golo Kante was subbed off against Burnley due to a rib knock and the manager confirmed on Friday his participation is in doubt.

Going without the bustling Frenchman won't change the tactical set-up but opens another slot for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and Barkley to battle over.

At the back, Antonio Rudiger feared his season was over when picking up a knee injury at Liverpool a fortnight ago but the German is a possibility to start on Sunday.

Andreas Christensen has watched seven goals go in during his two-and-a-half games since replacing the German and cannot count on Sarri keeping him in the team.

Similarly, left-back Emerson risks being dropped if Alonso is fit.

Suffering from a glute injury, the Spaniard is another man not entirely trusted by coach Sarri and could be forced to wait until Thursday's trip to Eintracht Frankfurt to return.

Even Chelsea fans are surprised they go into the game sat fourth in the table, but upcoming tests against Watford and Leicester mean even a win won't guarantee Champions League football.

Away days have certainly been an issue for the Blues, losing two of their last three league trips and benefiting from fortuitous refereeing decisions in the win over Cardiff.

Eden Hazard has been offered a mega £400,000 a week AFTER TAX to join Real Madrid
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