Martin Keown has warned Manchester United they will be coming up against ‘one of the most feared players in the Premier League’ when Chelsea and Nicolas Jackson visit Old Trafford on Sunday.
Signed from Villarreal for £32m in the summer of 2023, Jackson endured a mixed first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 17 goals in all competitions but attracting criticism for his wayward finishing.
But inconsistency in front of goal appears to be a thing of the past for Jackson, who already has six Premier League goals this season, a figure bettered by only four players, including his Chelsea team-mate Cole Palmer.
Arsenal legend Keown believes Jackson is ‘fast becoming one of the Premier League’s most feared strikers’ and says Manchester United will need to be on their toes to stop the Senegal international on Sunday.
Enzo Maresca is preparing to take his exciting and dynamic Chelsea team to Old Trafford in the week in which Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag.
The Red Devils have appointed Ruben Amorim as their new manager but the Portuguese will not take over until November 11, meaning interim boss and club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain in charge until then.
United thumped Leicester City 5-2 in the Carabao Cup in their first game since Ten Hag’s dismissal but Keown insists Chelsea will provide a ‘much tougher test’.
‘It was a liberating performance that saw United play with freedom, but make no mistake, Chelsea will be a much tougher test,’ he told the Daily Mail.
‘This is especially the case as Enzo Maresca will bring his A-team to Old Trafford after miscalculating their midweek Carabao Cup trip to Newcastle with a B-side that ended up losing at St James’ Park.
‘One decision Van Nistelrooy needs to nail is who starts in central defence, as Nicolas Jackson is fast becoming one of the Premier League’s most feared strikers.
‘Nobody has made more sprints than Chelsea’s forward this season and he will happily eat up any space behind United’s backline, knowing full well that Cole Palmer can find him.
‘Palmer’s vision is unparalleled. That pass for Jackson’s opener in last weekend’s 2-1 Premier League win over Newcastle was on another level.
‘Few players would have seen that ball was on, let alone possess the quality to execute it. Palmer plays as if there’s no time to lose, desperate to make sure everyone knows how exceptional he is.
‘Manchester City’s academy coaches have every right to feel angry that their club is not benefiting from his X factor.
‘Chelsea have partnerships all over the pitch, from Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana in central defence to Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in midfield and Palmer and Jackson in attack.
‘Meanwhile, United’s fans are ready to embrace a new chapter. On Sunday, the responsibility will fall on Van Nistelrooy to make sure their players maintain momentum ahead of the huge change that is coming under Amorim.’
Manchester United go into this weekend’ round of fixtures sitting 14th in the Premier League, closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places, while Chelsea are fifth.
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