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:
Marcus Rashford won’t accept pay cut to leave Man United as transfer stance revealed
Marcus Rashford is available for £40m from Manchester United this summer, but Aston Villa do not have first option on the forward.
Villa are open to making the move permanent after a successful loan spell since January, but there are no clauses to stop other clubs stealing in to strike a deal.
Any suitor would nevertheless need to match Rashford’s £315,000-a-week wages, as sources close to the player state he would not be willing to countenance a pay cut, and is only willing to go to a club in the Champions League.
Marcus Rashford won’t accept pay cut to leave Man United as transfer stance revealed
A rare Friday fixture
This is just the second ever Premier League meeting between Chelsea and Manchester United on a Friday.
The last time the teams faced each other on this day of a the week was a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in August 2002.
No wins at Stamford Bridge in five years
Manchester United have won just one of their last 11 Premier League away games against Chelsea (five draws, five defeats).
That was a 2-0 victory in February 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chelsea's record versus Man Utd
Chelsea have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games against Manchester United.
They’ve drawn eight and lost five in that run.
Their lone win was a 4-3 victory in this exact fixture last season.
Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘loses quarter of total wealth’
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wealth has fallen by £6.473bn - a quarter of his total fortune - according to this year’s Sunday Times Rich List.
The Manchester United co-owner and founder of Ineos has seen his wealth fall from £23.519bn 12 months ago to £17.046bn, according to the latest list.
The billionaire’s Ineos group bought a 27.7 per cent stake in United for £1.25bn in February last year and they have overseen a wave of cost-cutting measures in an attempt to improve the club’s dire finances.
Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘loses quarter of total wealth’
Man Utd early team news
For United, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Diogo Dalot remain out, while Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer will be assessed ahead of the match.
Leny Yoro is a doubt after picking up a knock against West Ham, though it’s unlikely he’ll be risked even if fit.
Ruben Amorim will likely make wholesale changes to the side that lost at the weekend, with several of United’s younger players expected to feature at Stamford Bridge.
Predicted Man Utd XI: Bayindir; Mazraoui, Lindelof, Fredricson; Dorgu, Casemiro, Amass; Fernandes, Eriksen; Obi.
Chelsea early team news
For the hosts, Nicolas Jackson will miss the rest of the season after being red carded against Newcastle, while Jadon Sancho is ineligible to face his parent club.
Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu will likely be unavailable due to injury, leaving Enzo Maresca a potential selection dilemma in his forward line, though the rest of the squad is fit for the run-in.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Madueke; Palmer.
How can I watch it?
The game will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 7pm. Subscribers can also watch online via Sky Go.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass to watch without a subscription.
When is Chelsea vs Manchester United?
The match is due to kick off at 8.15pm on Friday, 16 May at Stamford Bridge in London.
Chelsea vs Man Utd
Chelsea face Manchester United in the Premier League this evening, with the hosts looking to take a vital step closer to Champions League qualification.
Enzo Maresca’s side start the weekend occupying the final qualification place, though they are fifth on goal difference alone, level on 63 points with Aston Villa below them.
And with a final-day test away at fellow Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest still to come, it could be vital to grab three points this evening against a struggling United side.
Thankfully for home fans, Ruben Amorim will likely rest plenty of players ahead of the Europa League final next week, though Chelsea will be firm favourites whatever happens with the Red Devils having slipped to 16th in the league.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments