Champions League football will officially return to Old Trafford next season if Man United can avoid defeat against Chelsea tonight. With Frank Lampard’s Blues victorious in only one of their nine games under the caretaker boss, Red Devils fans may see that as something of a shoo-in.
Erik ten Hag has only named Marcus Rashford on the bench for tonight’s Premier League clash, which comes as a game in hand for both teams after being postponed for the FA Cup semi-finals earlier this year. Not only can United guarantee a top-four finish with a point but all three will send them into third place ahead of the final weekend.
Chelsea are playing for little more than pride yet can retake 11th place off Crystal Palace with a draw in Manchester. Raheem Sterling is absent after being left out of the England squad, with Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke in the XI. Follow Man Utd vs Chelsea LIVE via Standard Sport’s match blog with Nizaar Kinsella providing expert analysis from the ground.
Live updates
HALF TIME! Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea
The Red Devils are one small step away from qualifying for the Champions League.
GGGGOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea
45+5 mins: MARTIAL IN STOPPAGE TIME!
Sancho finds the cure! Casemiro’s beautiful dink into the box finds the winger, who calmly rolls the ball to the far post for a tap-in by Martial.
A suckerpunch for Chelsea – for which they only have themselves to blame.
45+3 mins: Sancho is the latest player to suffer from tonight’s disease, the chief symptom being a complete lack of composure in the box.
Nizaar Kinsella at Old Trafford
Chelsea have done very well to carve Man United open on multiple occasions.
The complete lack of finishing is an issue as Conor Gallagher joins Kai Havertz and Mykhailo Mudryk in missing big chances.
Chance!
45 mins: As six additional minutes are announced at Old Trafford, Gallagher rolls a massive chance wide!
A lovely pass by Enzo to tee him up, too.
44 mins: Plenty of intent about the visitors as Gallagher curls a 25-yarder well off target. Can’t blame him for having a go.
42 mins: More threat still from Chelsea as a couple of disgrunted groans emanate off the Stretford End.
However, two Madueke crosses go unmet before Wan-Bissaka expertly closes down Hall’s lash at goal.
40 mins: Enzo squares a cute ball wide for Mudryk to run onto but, on the 18-yard line, the winger punts his ragged first touch halfway to Oldham. Goal kick.
38 mins: A bit of drift about the game now with United firmly in second gear in possession. Maybe even first-and-a-half gear, like they’re driving those tractors with 28 gears.
35 mins: Sancho and Rashford put United on the front foot for a second goal but Casemiro’s touch lets him down in the box.
We’ve seen a lot of that tonight..!
