Manchester United qualified for next season’s Champions League with a 4-1 victory over hopeless Chelsea on Thursday.
Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford scored as Manchester United moved up to third place in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s season, after spending over £500 million in the transfer market, was summed up in a terrible night as they suffered their eighth defeat in ten games since Frank Lampard returned as interim manager.
In contrast, confirming a top-four finish caps off a successful first season in charge for Erik ten Hag, who also ended United’s six-year trophy drought in February by winning the League Cup.
Join any of these WhatsApp Groups to receive Prompt Sport News Update on WhatsApp
More trophies could be on the way next month if United defeats Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Returning to Europe’s elite competition next season was one of Ten Hag’s key goals when he took over after a catastrophic 2021/22 season in which United finished sixth.
Casemiro’s arrival from Real Madrid has been critical to United’s comeback.
The 31-year-old’s class and experience shined through against a youthful Chelsea team that was punished for inefficiency in both boxes.
Mykhailo Mudryk should have scored his first goal for Chelsea after slicing wide a great chance on five minutes.
Watch video below;
Highlights
— modrizzey (@ibrahimokunola) May 26, 2023
Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea #MUNCHE || #COYG pic.twitter.com/wfZdKWy9rQ
Nothing but love ❤️#MUFC || #MUNCHE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2023
Chances continued to flow at both ends as a poor first touch from Fernandes and Martial cost them with just Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat.
At the other end Kai Havertz headed wide and Conor Gallagher flashed a shot across David De Gea’s goal.
United winger Antony was then forced off on a stretcher with an ankle injury that will make him a major doubt for the FA Cup final in 10 days’ time.
But the home side ended the game as a contest in first-half stoppage time when Casemiro’s no-look pass opened up the Chelsea defence for Jadon Sancho to square for Martial.
Ten Hag’s men should have had more goals to round off a fine night in the second period as Fernandes smashed against the bar and Eriksen somehow failed to turn in Tyrell Malacia’s cross from point-blank range.
Fernandes did finally get his goal from the penalty spot after the Portuguese midfielder was brought down by Wesley Fofana.
More calamitous Chelsea defending invited Rashford to become the first United player in a decade to score 30 goals in a season.
🔟🤝🔟🤝🔟
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 25, 2023
Keep hitting those milestones, @MarcusRashford 😍#MUFC pic.twitter.com/5ISZ96qIM0
Fernandes pounced on Fofana’s loose pass and teed up the England international, who needed two attempts to beat Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The waste of Chelsea’s season can be summed up by the £10 million loan fee splurged on Joao Felix in January for a few months with little left to play for.
But the Portuguese international showed a glimmer of his quality with a surging run and low finish for a late consolation that denied De Gea his 18th clean sheet of the season.
Contact us: intelregion.com@gmail.com
📡Our Social Media Channels:
- WhatsApp: iR Sport
- Facebook: Intel Region Sport
- Twitter: @iRSport_
- Telegram: iR Sport