Manchester United clinched their place in next season’s Champions League with a 4-1 victory over a struggling Chelsea side. Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, and Marcus Rashford scored to propel Manchester United to third place in the Premier League standings.
Chelsea’s defeat encapsulated their disappointing season, despite their extravagant transfer market spending of over £500 million. They have now lost eight of their last ten games since Frank Lampard took over as interim manager.
In stark contrast, Erik ten Hag’s first season as manager of Manchester United has been a resounding success. He not only finished in the top four, but he also ended the club’s six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup in February. The upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City provides another opportunity for United to add to their trophy cabinet while potentially delaying City’s bid for a historic treble.
Qualifying for the Champions League was one of Ten Hag’s main goals after taking over after the disastrous 2021/22 season, in which United finished sixth in the league.
Casemiro’s arrival from Real Madrid was critical to United’s resurgence. The 31-year-old midfielder displayed his class and experience against a young Chelsea team that paid the price for inefficiency at both ends of the field.
Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea had a great chance to score his first goal for the club, but he sliced wide. Casemiro scored United’s first goal less than a minute later, capitalizing on a free header from Christian Eriksen’s delivery. Both teams continued to create chances, with Fernandes and Martial for the hosts wasting chances, while Kai Havertz and Conor Gallagher went close for Chelsea.
United suffered a setback when winger Antony was stretchered off with an ankle injury, putting his participation in the upcoming FA Cup final in doubt.
United, on the other hand, effectively ended the game in first-half stoppage time. The Chelsea defense was split by Casemiro’s deft no-look pass, allowing Jadon Sancho to set up Martial for United’s third goal.
In the second half, Ten Hag’s men had several chances to extend their lead. Fernandes hit the crossbar after Tyrell Malacia’s cross, and Eriksen failed to convert from close range. After being fouled by Wesley Fofana, Fernandes eventually found the back of the net from the penalty spot. Rashford took advantage of more Chelsea defensive errors to become the first United player in ten years to score 30 goals in a season.
Chelsea’s season has been marred by wastefulness, exemplified by the £10 million loan fee paid for Joao Felix in January, despite the fact that there was little left to play for. The Portuguese international, on the other hand, demonstrated his talent with a late consolation goal, denying United goalkeeper David De Gea his 18th clean sheet of the season.
Manchester United secured their return to the Champions League with this resounding victory, capping off Erik Ten Hag’s first season in charge on a high note. The Red Devils’ future looks bright as they aim to build on their recent successes and compete at the highest level once more.
Main Image: Goal.com
