{
  "id": 17402920,
  "title": "EPL: Bruno Fernandes returns as Chelsea, Man Utd starting XIs confirmed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/epl-bruno-fernandes-returns-as-chelsea-man-utd-starting-xis-confirmed",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T12:02:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/31/epl-bruno-fernandes-returns-as-chelsea-man-utd-starting-xis-are-confirmed/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bruno Fernandes resumes his role as Manchester United's captain following his exclusion from last weekend's home match against Bournemouth. Manager Michael Carrick opts for three alterations in the starting lineup, bringing Lisandro Martinez and Matheus Cunha into the field. Ayden Heaven, Mason Mount, and Youri Tielemans join the substitutes, with Kobbie Mainoo also included on the bench after recovering from an injury that kept him out of United's last four games. Meanwhile, Estevao makes his first Premier League appearance of the season as Xabi Alonso rearranges the Chelsea XI that started Wednesday’s EFL Cup loss to Liverpool. Estevao partners defenders Levi Colwill and Marco Palestra, while Cole Palmer returns to the match after serving a suspension. Maxence Lacroix remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury, and Jordan Henderson is notably absent from the squad. Chelsea's XI includes Penders, with Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Palestra, Caicedo, Lavia, Estevao, Palmer, and Neto taking their positions. Substitutes include Sharman-Lowe, Barco, Welbeck, Emegha, Quenda, Gusto, Chavarria, Nicoll-Jazuli, and Subuloye. For Manchester United, the XI features Lammens, with Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Santos, Baleba, Fernandes, Cunha, and Mbeumo forming the defensive and midfield core. Substitutes comprise Darlow, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Mount, Zirkzee, Tielemans, Heaven, Lacey, and Mainoo.",
  "summary": "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 […] EPL: Bruno Fernandes returns as Chelsea, Man…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Bruno Fernandes returns to Man United team as captain a week after being dropped by Carrick",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/bruno-fernandes-returns-to-man-united-team-as-captain-a-week-after",
        "published": "2026-10-31T11:39:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}