Thomas Tuchel has seemingly admitted that Manchester United are in a bigger predicament than Chelsea ahead of Thursday’s clash.
The Blues are going through a turbulent period with uncertainty regarding the club’s ownership. The champions of Europe also recently confirmed that Antonio Rudiger is set to leave, with Andreas Christensen likely to follow too.
United are facing mountainous problems too amid poor results of the pitch and a toxic atmosphere around the club. Their 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Saturday all but mathematically extinguished hopes of a top four finish.
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After the game, interim boss Ralf Rangnick suggested that United need “open-heart surgery” if they are to recover from the mess they find themselves in. A defeat to Chelsea tonight could arguably see them fighting to keep hold of a Europa League spot.
Tuchel was asked what his club needs this summer if United need heart surgery. "Cosmetic surgery," he replied.
"I would be less concerned if we had still the same ownership if we could rely on our structure. As this is also in question we are, not concerned, but aware of the danger that the situation is maybe a bit more complex.
"And it can be complex enough if you lose a player like Toni [Rudiger], and maybe lose another player like Andreas [Christensen] with the kind of quality, and both of them free. It can be demanding enough even if everything else stays in place. So with this in question, it can be a very, very demanding summer.
"I don’t know if surgery is the right term for it but I just want to be positive about it and stick to the things we can influence." A win for Chelsea against United would take them one step closer to securing Champions League football next season, while a loss for United could see them slip to seventh should West Ham win their game in hand.
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