Premier League
Man Utd
Sep 20, 2025 5.30pm
2
1
HT : 0 0
FT
Chelsea

Man United 2-1 Chelsea: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Ruben Amorim, Bruno Fernandes triumph in chaotic 10v10 battle

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Amorim rains on Maresca's parade as Man United edge Chelsea in chaotic 10v10 battle
© Imago

Manchester United avoided a potential catastrophic collapse as they edged out Chelsea 2-1 in a frenetic 10v10 Premier League battle at Old Trafford.

The torrential rainfall was a precursor to a turbulent first half at the Theatre of Dreams, which saw two goals, two red cards and an unprecedented three substitutions before the break.

The chaos began with Robert Sanchez taking the walk of shame for a last-man foul on Bryan Mbeumo; Enzo Maresca responded to his goalkeeper's dismissal by taking off 75% of his attacking line, as Estevao, Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer - now a fresh injury concern - all came off inside the opening 21 minutes.

Ruben Amorim's men capitalised on Chelsea's implosion through Bruno Fernandes's milestone goal and a close-range header from Casemiro, but the latter then joined Sanchez on the naughty step, being sent for an early bath on the stroke of half time for two bookable offences.

Maresca's tepid side initially showed no signs of clawing their way back into the contest, which had grown stale until an 80th-minute header from Trevoh Chalobah teased a miraculous Chelsea comeback.

However, the hosts held out to move into ninth place in the Premier League table on seven points, just one point and three spots below Chelsea in sixth.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Imago

How Amorim needed this. How the players needed this. How the fans needed this.

The atrocious Mancunian conditions were the perfect setting for a frenzied fight between two English titans - both of whom have fallen from former glories - and while there was a lot to be desired quality-wise, the entertainment value could not be questioned.

Everything that could go right did go right for Man United inside the opening 35 minutes, but the home crowd no doubt feared a disastrous collapse when Casemiro's dismissal levelled the playing field at the worst possible time.

Amorim's men were nothing short of pitiful for the majority of the second 45, but Chelsea's plethora of first-half alterations severely disrupted their own rhythm, as Maresca's men could not recover from their early wave of defensive substitutions.

Revelling in just a second Premier League win of the season, Man United may have just earned Amorim another stay of execution, but Saturday's success must now be the catalyst for a sustained turnaround in fortunes.

MAN UNITED VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS

Robert Sanchez red card vs. Man United (5th min, Man United 0-0 Chelsea)

The heavens have opened over Manchester, and the footballing gods may be looking down on Amorim today!

Benjamin Sesko's flick-on sets Mbeumo away one-on-one with Sanchez, who takes out the Cameroonian before he can a shot on goal, and referee Peter Bankes has no choice but to brandish the red card.

Bruno Fernandes goal vs. Chelsea (14th min, Man United 1-0 Chelsea)

A landmark goal on a landmark appearance for Man United's skipper, who puts the hosts in front with his 100th Red Devils goal in his 200th game for the club!

Noussair Mazraoui's cross is headed into the path of the Portuguese by Patrick Dorgu, and Fernandes is allowed to drift in behind untracked to slot home from close range.

On a first glance, Fernandes may have gone slightly early, but replays show that the leg of Trevoh Chalobah was keeping the playmaker onside.

Casemiro goal vs. Chelsea (37th min, Man United 2-0 Chelsea)

Sometimes, going down to 10 men can galvanise a team. But not Chelsea, who have been nothing short of abysmal and are surely now staring down the barrel of defeat.

A chance for the hosts seemingly goes begging when Dorgu fails to head the ball back across goal, but Reece James's clearance balloons up into the air, and a charging Luke Shaw helps Harry Maguire get the first contact.

The left-back's header falls right into the path of Casemiro inside the six-yard box, and the veteran midfielder cannot miss.

Casemiro red card vs. Chelsea (45+5 min, Man United 2-0 Chelsea)

Well how about this for a turn up for the books!

Goalscorer Casemiro - who was already on a yellow card - hauls down compatriot Andrey Santos from behind as the latter attempts to advance forward, and the ex-Real Madrid man is dismissed for a second bookable offence!

Trevoh Chalobah goal vs. Man United (80th min, Man United 2-1 Chelsea)

The first 35 minutes of the second half were highly forgettable; the final 10 will surely be unmissable!

Enzo Fernandez takes a short corner to Reece James, who delivers one of his trademark pinpoint crosses, and Chalobah rises highest to direct a bullet header into the corner past a stagnant Altay Bayindir.

Amad Diallo is going absolutely ballistic, and Chelsea - out of nowhere - are right back in this one!

MAN OF THE MATCH - TREVOH CHALOBAH

© Imago

Star quality was in short supply at Old Trafford - the inclement weather probably played its part in that - but Chalobah was perhaps the sole reason that the visitors still had a shot of taking something home from the game in the second half.

Yes, the Englishman played Fernandes onside for the hosts' opener, but only by a leg, and his inch-perfect header, six accurate long passes, eight clearances and four aerial duels won more than made up for it, even if the Blues still ended up on the losing side.

MAN UNITED VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS

Possession: Man United 41%-59% Chelsea

Shots: Man United 11-5 Chelsea

Shots on target: Man United 4-1 Chelsea

Corners: Man United 5-5 Chelsea

Fouls: Man United 13-14 Chelsea

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

A Casemiro-less Man United will travel to Brentford for the early Premier League kickoff next Saturday, and it will be fascinating to see whether the Brazilian's absence leads to a rare start for Kobbie Mainoo.

Meanwhile, Chelsea travel to Lincoln City in the EFL Cup third round on Tuesday, before hosting Brighton & Hove Albion in a week's time; fans will wait with bated breath to hear whether Palmer is fit for either showdown.

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