On Super Sunday, defending Premier League champions Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge (16:30) as both title contenders look to close the gap on unbeaten leaders Manchester City.

The Blues, who crashed to a thoroughly disappointing 3-0 defeat in Rome in the UEFA Champions League during midweek, have secured back to back league wins recently under manager Antonio Conte, but are still four points adrift of United prior to kick-off.

Meanwhile The Red Devils, who unconvincingly saw off Benfica 2-0 on Tuesday night to record their fourth consecutive Champions League victory, edged past Tottenham Hotspur (1-0) last weekend to bounce back from their shock defeat to newly promoted Huddersfield Town in the top-flight.

With both sides determined to put together a winning streak in the Premier League, to ensure they battle leaders City for the title, Shoot! has put together our very own Chelsea-Manchester United combined XI…

Do you agree with our selection? Or, which player(s) do you think we have missed out?

Comment below with your tactical suggestions!

*The combined XI follows a traditional 4-3-3 formation and includes ALL players from either squad, regardless of whether they are injured or suspended in reality*

Goalkeeper: David De Gea (Manchester United)

Snatching the number one jersey from Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois is Spaniard David De Gea.

The 26-year-old has impressively kept 11 clean sheets in 15 appearances in all competitions for United this season.

De Gea has recorded eight shutouts in 10 Premier League games this term, the best shot stopper in the top-flight, with Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris and Manchester City’s Ederson both in second place with five clean sheets.

Right-back: Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Despite Antonio Valencia’s great form for United, Shoot! have opted for a primary full-back in Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, considering Valencia’s favoured winger position.

Azpilicueta, 28, has started all ten of The Blues’ Premier League matches this campaign, captaining Chelsea on a number of occasions. Largely underrated by fans of other clubs, his versatility along the back line would be a huge asset for any starting XI.

Centre-back: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)

Our first centre-half is United’s Eric Bailly. The Ivory Coast international returned to The Red Devils’ squad last week as they saw off Spurs at Old Trafford, keeping a clean sheet to establish some ground between them and Tottenham in the standings.

The 23-year-old is undoubtedly the visitors’ best centre-half, with manager Jose Mourinho only left to ponder who partners him each week in the heart of United’s defence.

Centre-back: Phil Jones (Manchester United)

Perhaps Shoot!‘s most debatable inclusion in this starting XI – England’s Phil Jones to partner Bailly in defence.

The 25-year-old is seemingly enjoying his best spell of form at United, having started all of United’s 10 league games this season, with his absence felt when Jones limped off after 23 minutes during their surprise 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield Town last month.

Chosen ahead of the likes of Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger and Daley Blind, the Three Lions international has earned praise from boss Jose Mourinho this campaign for his development and improvement, highlighted by his inclusion in the latest England squad to face Germany and Brazil later this month.

Left-back: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

No debate over Shoot!‘s left-back, it is Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso.

The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best full-backs since surprisingly joining Chelsea for around £24m back in the summer of 2016 from Fiorentina.

Alonso, who has started every top-flight clash this season, is also a threat at the opposite end of the pitch, following his brace at Wembley Stadium against rivals Tottenham earlier this season (Pictured).

Midfielder: Nemanja Matic (Manchester United)

A star who switched Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford in the summer, Nemanja Matic is significantly missed by Chelsea, having become an instant hit at Manchester United.

Somewhat a shock summer transfer after lifting the title with Chelsea in May, former Blues boss Jose Mourinho was handed the opportunity to land the 29-year-old Serbian midfielder, and he had no doubts about snapping him up for around £40m.

Matic has started all but one game for United in all competitions this season, becoming Mourinho’s key man in the centre of the park, a terrific last line of defence in front of United’s back four, allowing fellow midfielders, like Paul Pogba, to focus on the attacking attributes of his game and support the front line to a greater extent.

Midfielder: N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)

Another defensive option in midfield, but there was no way Shoot! was going to exclude the relentless engine of N’Golo Kante.

Alongside former team mate Matic, Kante played a huge influence in Chelsea’s title triumph last term, one year on from his fairytale year at Leicester City.

The 26-year-old is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem, another huge asset missing for Antonio Conte’s side at the moment, highlighted by Chelsea’s horrendous defending in Rome during midweek.

Midfielder: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Another player in the treatment room, unfortunately, is United’s Paul Pogba.

The 24-year-old’s terrific start to the 2017-18 season was halted by a similar hamstring problem back in September, though the Frenchman could make his first-team return this weekend at Stamford Bridge.

Pogba scored two goals and provided two assists in his four league games, before limping off against FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League.

Right forward: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Moving onto our front three, and United’s Marcus Rashford narrowly fought off Chelsea’s Pedro for the first forward spot.

The 20-year-old has frequently operated on the left flank for Jose Mourinho’s side this term, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in all competitions.

Centre forward: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)

It was a toss up between Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata and United’s Romelu Lukaku for the centre forward place – but it is the former Blue who leads the line.

The 24-year-old, who arrived at Old Trafford this summer from Everton for an initial £75m, has hit the ground running for The Red Devils this season, scoring 11 goals in 16 games overall.

Despite the goals slightly drying up for the towering Belgian of late, he still has seven strikes in his 10 Premier League outings this term, and will be eager to get on the scoresheet this Sunday to show his former club what they’re missing.

Left forward: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

And finally, on the left flank, is Chelsea’s wing wizard Eden Hazard.

Perhaps the only player to put in a ‘respectable’ performance against Roma in midweek, the 26-year-old looks to be on his way back to his best form following injury.

The Belgian has scored three goals in 12 games for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea this season, but his statistics don’t serve him justice on the terrorising displays he gives opposing defenders when the winger is on the front foot.