Chelsea vs Manchester United LIVE: Blues seal imperative victory with top five place at stake
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: Enzo Maresca’s collected a crucial three points to keep themselves inside the Champions League places
Marc Cucurella’s invaluable header proved the difference as Chelsea emerged with an imperative win over struggling Manchester United to keep their Champions League destiny in their own hands.
Man United thought they had the lead when Harry Maguire volleyed home from a delightful Bruno Fernandes cross in the first half, only to be ruled a shoulder offside by VAR.
Chelsea continued to be frustrated despite growing into the game, with Reece James coming closest in the first half with a stunning effort that struck the post.
But it was James who inspired the eventual winner, pirouetting on the edge of the box before picking out Cucurella who headed home, putting Chelsea on course to a victory that maintained their place in the top five.
They now need just one more win - on the final day - to ensure Champions League qualification for next term, with Aston Villa breathing down their neck after beating Tottenham earlier in the evening.
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Ruben Amorim delivers warning to Man United players ahead of Europa League final
Ruben Amorim has told his Manchester United team they could play their way in or out of the side for the Europa League final when they face Chelsea tonight.
“Yes, that is clear,” Amorim said. “I know already the starting 11 I am thinking for Chelsea and then I will see. Even the way we play there against Chelsea, I will see it and it is going to important for the next one.”
Ruben Amorim delivers warning to Man United players ahead of Europa League final
'Man United field stronger side than expected'
Enzo Maresca seems to have given Pedro Neto the job of standing in for suspended striker Nicolas Jackson and scoring the goals to take Chelsea into the Champions League. Romeo Lavia may be a surprise omission but it means Reece James returns to the team and Moises Caicedo to the midfield.
The Manchester United side may be stronger than expected and could offer some clues into their Europa League starting XI. Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo, all largely substitutes since their returns from injury, start, giving them a chance to earn places against Tottenham in Bilbao.
Mount, of course, is a Champions League winner with Chelsea and a reminder of better days at Stamford Bridge. But Chelsea are still 11 places above United in the table.
Line-ups CONFIRMED!
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, George; Neto.
Man United XI: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Mazroaui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Amad, Mount; Hojlund.
A winless run
Manchester United are winless in their last seven Premier League games (two draws, five defeats) since winning 3-0 at Leicester in March.
They last had a longer run without a league victory between December 1989 and February 1990 (11).
Fortress Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League home games so far in 2025 (seven wins, two draws).
The Blues have earned the joint-most points (23) and conceded the fewest goals (7) at home of any Premier League side this calendar year.
Enzo Maresca assessing Chelsea options to replace suspended Nicolas Jackson
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said he is assessing his attacking options with striker Nicolas Jackson’s suspension for Friday’s visit of Manchester United having once again shown up his lack of alternatives.
Jackson will not play again this season in the Premier League after being dismissed for elbowing Newcastle’s Sven Botman last Sunday, leaving the team without a recognised number nine for the remainder of the run-in.
Chelsea have spent well over £1billion during the last three seasons but the failure to bring in an established goalscorer continues to rankle among fans.
Enzo Maresca assessing Chelsea options to replace suspended Nicolas Jackson
Success on the road
Manchester United have won their final away league game in four of the last five seasons.
However, they’re winless in seven when their final match on the road is at a London side (three draws, four defeats).
Ending the season in style
Chelsea haven’t lost their final home league game in any of the last 22 seasons (15 wins, seven draws D7).
The last time they did was a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in 2001/02.
A draw on the cards?
Chelsea vs Manchester United is the most drawn fixture in Premier League history (27).
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford this season finished 1-1, with both meetings between the sides finishing level in seven previous campaigns.
Those were: 1998/99, 2000/01, 2006/07, 2015/16, 2018/19, 2020/21 and 2021/22.
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