In a thrilling match at Old Trafford on Thursday night, Manchester United secured a coveted top-four finish in the Premier League and a return to the prestigious Champions League with a resounding 4-1 victory over Chelsea. Requiring just a single point to guarantee their place in Europe’s premier club competition, United delivered a commanding performance with goals from Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford. Chelsea, on the other hand, endured their ninth defeat in their last twelve games.
United took control early on, with Casemiro’s header and Martial’s close-range finish propelling them to a comfortable 2-0 lead by halftime. In the second half, Fernandes confidently converted a penalty, while Rashford, who came on as a substitute for Antony, contributed a fourth goal. Joao Felix managed to salvage a late consolation goal for Chelsea.
Despite the triumph, there was a downside for United manager Erik Ten Hag, as Antony suffered an injury and had to be stretchered off in the first half. His availability for the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on June 3 (stream live on ESPN+ at 10 a.m. ET) is now uncertain, casting doubt on his participation in the crucial match.
1. United qualify for the Champions League
Manchester United’s qualification for the Champions League marks a significant achievement for manager Erik Ten Hag, who set a top-four finish as a minimum requirement when he took charge last summer. Throughout the season, there were moments when securing Champions League football seemed uncertain, but Ten Hag successfully guided the team to achieve their objective.
The team’s overall performance this season has been impressive, winning 40 games across all competitions, a feat achieved only five times in the club’s history. Furthermore, their home record at Old Trafford is formidable, with an unbeaten streak of 29 games. Notable victories against top Premier League sides such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and most recently Chelsea have solidified the notion that Old Trafford has once again become a fortress.
As Ten Hag looks ahead to the next season, he will face heightened expectations from fans and the club. The focus will likely shift toward mounting a sustained title challenge. However, he can take pride in the success of his first campaign, having secured a trophy, a top-four finish, and the opportunity to compete for more silverware in the upcoming FA Cup final. These achievements surpass the initial expectations of many supporters. Yet, Ten Hag is aware that the next phase of his rebuild will be the most challenging, as both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have experienced in the past.
2. Casemiro gets Man United over the line
Following consecutive defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United, Manchester United found themselves in need of inspiration to secure their place in the top four. Fortunately for manager, Erik ten Hag, Casemiro proved to be a source of inspiration. Since his arrival from Real Madrid in the summer, the Brazilian midfielder has been one of the standout players of the season at Old Trafford. As the season reached its crucial stages, Casemiro delivered vital goals for the team.
In February, he scored in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United, helping Manchester United lift their first trophy since 2017. With Champions League qualification at stake, Casemiro once again rose to the occasion. He scored the lone goal in the 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth, putting United on the verge of a top-four finish. Then, in the crucial match against Chelsea, he made an impact early on, finding the back of the net with a clinical header from Christian Eriksen’s free-kick just six minutes into the game. Additionally, he provided an exquisite no-look flick to set up Jadon Sancho, who delivered a cross for Anthony Martial to score the second goal.
Casemiro’s contributions have been instrumental in Manchester United’s success, and his performances have earned him recognition and the potential for an improved contract as the club secures its return to the Champions League. For Ten Hag, the impact Casemiro has made justifies every penny of a potential salary increase for the talented midfielder.
3. Lampard trying to look to the future
This season has undeniably been a disastrous one for Chelsea, and there is no sugarcoating it. The team is set to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table for the first time in 27 years, and their defeat at Old Trafford has established a new club record of 16 losses in a 38-game Premier League season. However, amidst the gloom, Chelsea fans can find solace in the hope that the upcoming season will bring improvement.
Caretaker manager Frank Lampard, who won’t be staying beyond the summer, attempted to showcase a glimpse of optimism for prospective new manager Mauricio Pochettino during the match against Manchester United. Lampard fielded Chelsea’s youngest-ever Premier League starting lineup, featuring a team that became just the third in Premier League history to include at least nine players under the age of 24.
One standout performer was 18-year-old left-back, Lewis Hall. He displayed excellent ball control, ventured forward whenever possible, and demonstrated his ability to defend against the likes of Antony and Sancho in one-on-one situations. Hall’s promising performance suggests that he should be considered for inclusion in the first-team squad next season.
In the midst of a forgettable campaign characterized by mismanagement and underachievement, Chelsea’s fans must search diligently for reasons to remain hopeful. While they may be scarce, glimpses of potential do exist, and it is in these glimmers that supporters can find a ray of optimism for the future.
Best and worst performers
BEST
Casemiro, playing for Manchester United, showcased his impact in the match by scoring the team’s opening goal and delivering a brilliant assist to Jadon Sancho for the second goal. His contributions played a significant role in United’s success.
On the Chelsea side, Lewis Hall can take some satisfaction from his individual performance, despite the overall disappointment of the team. The young left-back displayed promise and resilience, showing his abilities both in attacking and defending situations.
Bruno Fernandes, another key player for Manchester United, played a pivotal role in the match. He won and successfully converted a penalty, adding to his goal tally for the season. Additionally, Fernandes provided the assist for Marcus Rashford’s goal as Chelsea struggled to contain United’s attacking prowess.
WORST
Kai Havertz, representing Chelsea, had a difficult moment during Casemiro’s goal, where he got caught under the ball. Additionally, Havertz missed a clear opportunity with a header that went wide, squandering a golden chance to score.
Anthony Martial, playing for Manchester United, managed to find the back of the net with a tap-in. However, his overall performance seemed lacking, as he appeared to be off the pace during the match.
For Chelsea, Mykhailo Mudryk had a disappointing outing. He failed to capitalize on a great opportunity to give Chelsea the lead and was also guilty of giving the ball away on several occasions, impacting the team’s overall play.
