Man Utd beat Chelsea and Michael Carrick has one man to thank as goal in sight
Manchester United beat Chelsea 1-0 away at Stamford Bridge to put a huge 10-point gap between Michael Carrick’s Red Devils in third and Liam Rosenior’s hapless Blues in sixth
(Image: Getty Images)
Michael Carrick has one man to thank for Manchester United looking all but certain to qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Red Devils knew that a win in West London would be huge for their hopes of returning to Europe’s top table, as it would put them 10 points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea and all but certain to finish at least fifth. And a 1-0 victory over Liam Rosenior’s hapless Blues did just that – inspired by United’s modern captain marvel, Bruno Fernandes.
It was Matheus Cunha who scored the vital goal at the end of the first half. But it was created entirely by United’s creative king, the Portuguese number 8 who bagged his 18th assist of the season in doing so. He is now only two assists behind the record of 20, jointly held by Thierry Henry for Arsenal in 2002/03 and Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City in 2019/20. And like those two men to their respective clubs, Fernandes’ importance to this United team simply cannot be overstated.
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Going into the clash Manchester United were facing a defensive crisis due to a lack of centre-backs, with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro injured, and both Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire absent through suspension.
Carrick opted for Noussair Mazraoui at centre-back, partnering Ayden Heaven, while Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw were selected at full-back. Kobbie Mainoo was selected alongside Casemiro in midfield, with Fernandes ahead of them, and an attack of Bryan Mbeumo Benjamin Sesko and Cunha.
Meanwhile Rosenior made two changes to his Chelsea side that were beaten by Manchester City last weekend, with Joao Pedro missing due to a thigh injury and Liam Delap replacing the Brazilian. Club captain Enzo Fernandez also returned, in place of Andrey Santos, having been banned for two games by the club as a result of his controversial interviews about his desire to move to Spain.
Estevao Willian shaved the outside of the post with a strike early on, but stumbled as he went through on goal, and had to be replaced by former United man Alejandro Garnacho, welcomed with a chorus of boos from the away end. Those supporters were likely equally unimpressed by a poor touch by Cunha inside the Chelsea box, who fouled Jorrel Hato and saw a yellow card.
Chelsea had dominated much of the first half, and briefly had the ball in the net when the offside Cole Palmer found Liam Delap, who slotted home. But when they were temporarily down to 10 men with Wesley Fofana off the pitch undergoing treatment just two minutes before the break, United scored with their first shot on target.
It was thanks to some great work from who else but Fernandes. He beat his man Garnacho and delivered a fine ball, cutting it back deep into the box, for the oncoming Cunha to finish.
Scotland legend Ally McCoist, speaking on TNT Sports, said: “Against the run of play? Probably. Quality? Definitely, the majority of which coming from Bruno Fernandes.
“He runs in behind, takes a great touch and it was too easy to get by Garnacho. Excellent pass and a beautifully composed finish. Cunha leaves [Robert] Sanchez no chance.”
Chelsea twice came so close to an equaliser after the break. First the impressive Pedro Neto found Liam Delap, who crashed a header against the woodwork in the 56th minute. Just over 10 minutes later, Neto swung another great cross to the back post, which struck Mazraoui as he was challenged by Wesley Fofana and deflected onto the crossbar.
