Victor Lindelof says Manchester United plan to swarm Eden Hazard when the Chelsea star visits Old Trafford on Sunday in a match that will be decisive in the race for the top four.
The Belgian has enjoyed a hugely productive season, scoring or assisting 29 goals – no player has managed more – while he leads the Premier League assists charts.
Former boss Jose Mourinho would famously man mark Hazard in previous encounters, with midfielder Ander Herrera notably doing an excellent job of nullifying him.
However, Lindelof says it will not just be the responsibility of one player to keep Hazard under wraps and United will look to close him down at every opportunity.
‘Don’t give him too much space because he will do something great, he’s a fantastic player,’ Lindelof told the United Review.
‘He’s shown that for a lot of years now. You have to stay close to him and don’t let him have any space with the ball facing our goal.’
On Chelsea’s threat as a whole, Lindelof continued: ‘They’re just a very good team with some fantastic players. Even if they have a bad day, they still have very good individual players who can create chances from almost nothing.
‘They’re very good in possession so you have to be really focused when you’re defending. You can’t give them too much space. They’re a good team but we’ll be ready for this game.’
United are currently in sixth place in the Premier League table, though can go level with fourth-placed Chelsea on 67 points if they win on Sunday.
