MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United relieved some pressure on coach Ruben Amorim after a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Chelsea at Old Trafford, where both teams ended up with ten men following first-half red cards.
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro scored to give United a 2-0 lead before the half. Chelsea’s goalkeeper, Robert Sánchez, received a red card early in the fifth minute for a foul on Bryan Mbeumo. However, with Casemiro also sent off for two yellow cards, United faced a tense second half, particularly after Trevoh Chalobah found the net for Chelsea in the 80th minute.
Despite the late pressure, United managed to secure their second win of the season, propelling them into the top half of the table after starting the match in 17th place, just above relegation.
Man United Recaptures Intensity Against Chelsea
Following a lackluster performance in last week’s 3-0 derby loss to Manchester City, United displayed renewed intensity and aggression against Chelsea. This change in approach seemed to resonate with the players, particularly after former captain Roy Keane criticized their lack of fight during the City match.
Casemiro’s early yellow card for a foul on Enzo Fernández set a combative tone for the first half, ending with Casemiro’s dismissal for a second foul on Andrey Santos.
Chelsea’s Nightmare Start
Chelsea’s downfall began almost immediately when Sánchez received a red card. Manager Enzo Maresca must have been frustrated, given the early tactical changes required after losing Sánchez. With Pedro Neto and Estêvão substituted in response to the setback, Chelsea struggled to regain control of the match.
Further compounding their issues, Cole Palmer exited due to injury just 20 minutes into the game. Poor defending contributed to the goals conceded, with both United strikes resulting from lackluster Chelsea defense.
Signs of Improvement for Amorim
While Amorim might not receive full credit given the circumstances of the match, there were encouraging signs for United’s playstyle. Wingbacks Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui effectively utilized space in the first half, contributing to the goals scored.
This result grants Amorim some much-needed relief, as another poor performance would have heightened pressure on his position. Now, as United prepares for upcoming matches against Brentford and Sunderland, there’s a glimmer of positivity to carry into October.
