Manchester United are back for Champions League football next season after a big 4-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Starting Lineup
Erik Ten Hag made no change to the Manchester United squad that edged out Bournemouth with Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Christian Eriksen all back to the starting lineup.
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Sancho; Martial.
Frank Lampard made three of changes to the team that lost to Manchester City in their last game.
England youngster Chukwuemeka returns to the starting lineup with Madueke and Mudryk back to the lineup while Thiago Silva and Loftus-Cheek starts from the bench with Raheem Sterling out due to injury.
Chelsea: Kepa; Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Fofana, Hall; Chukwuemeka, Fernandez, Gallagher; Madueke, Havertz, Mudryk.
Manchester United went into the game on a good footing having remain undefeated against the London bitter rivals on 10 occasions at Old Trafford.
While the Old Trafford club needed just a draw to seal Champions League football next season, Chelsea had nothing to play except pride, having drop down the down the pecking order to the 12th position following a dismal campaign.
The Red Devils went straight on the attack as the match kicked off with Bruno Fernandes feeding Sancho in the Chelsea box but the English star delivered a faint strike cleared out as a cornerkick by Cesar Azpilicueta.
Chelsea also had an early opportunity in the 4th minute when Hall paced into the United half via the left flank before delivering a perfect cross into the box. A faint touch by Mykhailo Mudryk would have done the damage to the Red Devils but the former Shakhtar Donetsk star missed it.
It was largely an open game with both sides coming down on each other’s neck with rapid attacks and effort in the opposition box.
Manchester United swung into an early lead in the 6th minute after Chelsea conceded a freekick following Azpilicueta’s rough challenge on Luke Shaw.
Manchester United made it count with Casemiro’s powerful header. Christian Eriksen made a perfect delivery, whipping the ball into the Chelsea box. Casemiro was left unmarked as he jumped on the freekick to head pass Kepa to put Manchester United in front.
Manchester United still dominated proceedings after taking the lead but the visitors were making inroads to find equaliser.
In the 24th minute, Manchester United were dealt an injury blow as Antony plunged to the ground after a strong challenge by Charlobah.
He was stretchered off with Marcus Rashford coming in for his replacement.
The Red Devils waived aside Antony’s injury to maintain a swath of dominance but could not curtailed Chelsea’s attacking flair.
The first half nearly ended with the 1-0 lead for United but Chelsea conceded a late first-half goal in the 45+5th minute to dent their come-back hopes.
Anthony Martial doubled the lead for the Red Devils after he slot home Sancho’s cutback at back post to make it 2-0.
Chelsea did little to hold off Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen’s threats as Manchester United got the second half underway with more attacking threats.
Bruno Fernandes nearly made it 3-0 for the Red Devils but his attempt went off the post.
After a marathon of pressure, the Red Devils finally found their third goal in the 70th minute from a spotkick.
Fofana had brought down Fernandes in the box and a penalty was awarded. The Portuguese star fired into the bottom-right corner to make it 3-0 for the Red Devils.
In the 78th minute, another Fofana error gift Manchester United the fourth goal. Fofana’s loose pass was intercepted by Bruno Fernandes who located Marcus Rashford. The England star beat the challenge by Fofana but his attempt was saved by Kepa. Rashford latched on the rebound again from Kepa’s save to score United’s fourth goal.
It was a gameover for the Blues as the Old Trafford club sealed Champions League football for next season.
Joao Felix scored a consolation strike for Chelsea after he paced pass two Man United defenders to fire into the bottom corner.
The game ended with Manchester United winning 4-1 to seal their return to Champions League football next season.
