Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea LIVE REACTION: Red Devils seal return to Champions League in style by thrashing woeful Chelsea at Old Trafford
Manchester United sealed their return to the Champions League with a 4-1 thrashing of Chelsea at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were nowhere near close to their best and gave away several opportunities to a wasteful Blues team, but first-half goals from Casemiro and Anthony Martial put the hosts in command.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford added to the scoreline in the second 45 minutes before Joao Felix came off the bench to grab a consolation for the visitors.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils qualify for Champions League) – REACTION
The Blues are guaranteed a bottom-half finish for the first time since 1996, while they could still end 13th.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has a 14% win ratio as a top-flight manager this year…
You would think he is going to have to go away and try something else because he is struggling in the Premier League.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
Blues boss Frank Lampard speaking to Sky Sports: “We were the better football team in the first half, and then to be 2-0 down at that point, sums up where we are at.
“I am disappointed with the second half. We have to be better than that.
“It’s a bad year for the club. The important thing is we get to the bottom of it.
“The club will move on in the summer and it needs a reboot.”
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
Jason Cundy speaking on The Sports Bar, said: Jason Cundy: “I am numb to it.
“I expected to get beat. I didn’t expect to get humiliated.
“There were moments in the game we did very well, but we can’t score.
“It was a naive performance, and in the second half, you saw that.
“The game ran away for us, and at 4-0, I thought it was going to be seven or eight.”
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
While it was a great night for United, it was one to forget for Frank Lampard and co.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
Manchester United’s victory ensures Champions League qualification for next season. Erik ten Hag is just the fifth Man Utd manager to finish in the top four of the top-flight in his first league season in charge of the Red Devils, after John Bentley (1912-13), Matt Busby (1946-47), Ron Atkinson (1981-82) and Louis van Gaal (2014-15).
This was Chelsea’s 22nd defeat in all competitions this season, their most in a single campaign since 1978-79, when they lost a club record 29 times and were relegated from the top-flight.
Marcus Rashford has scored 30 goals in all competitions this season, with 20 of those coming in home games. He’s the first Man Utd player to reach 30 in a campaign since Robin van Persie in 2012-13, and the first to hit 20 at Old Trafford since Wayne Rooney in 2009-10.
Chelsea have conceded the first goal in 17 different Premier League games this season – only in 1993-94 (22) and 1992-93 (18) have they done so more in a single campaign.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
More from United boss Erik ten Hag speaking to Sky Sports about Luke Shaw and Antony’s injuries: “It’s difficult to say.
“We have to wait 24 hours and then we will know.”
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
Dean Ashton believes that Casemiro was Man of the Match, but there weren’t many standout players!
However, he was everywhere for the hosts and scored the opener.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
United boss Erik ten Hag speaking to Sky Sports: “It’s important.
“This club belongs in the Champions League, but a lot of clubs were competing for this position, so it’s a massive performance to make it.
“We showed the winning attitude. On the counter-attack, we were really good.”
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
Job done for Casemiro and co!
Now all attention turns to the FA Cup final and stopping Man City winning the treble.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea (Red Devils back in Champions League) – REACTION
United and Blues fans we want to hear from you on The Sports Bar.
Let us know your thoughts about what you just witnessed.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea – FULL TIME
THE RED DEVILS ARE BACK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
The aim before the start of the season was to get back into the top four and Erik ten Hag has done the job.
The hosts were nowhere close to their best and still probably could have scored eight!
Chelsea were decent in the first half and missed four huge chances, but in the second 45 minutes, they totally collapsed and Mauricio Pochettino has some job on his hands.
Stay with us for all the reaction!
Man United 4-1 Chelsea
90+’ – Time is ticking away and it’s just a matter of time before the hosts seal their return to the Champions League.
Man United 4-1 Chelsea
90+’ – Four minutes of added time indicated at Old Trafford as the Chelsea fans sing ‘we’ve score a goal’.
GOAL! Man United 4-1 Chelsea – Joao Felix
89′ – That’s a brilliant goal!
Ziyech volleys a pass into the forward.
He collects the ball and drives through the pitch.
He has options either side, but goes all the way and rifles in a lovely strike from the edge of the box.
Ashton: “Man United just back away and back away. He makes sure he keeps it nice and low and finds the corner.”
Man United 4-0 Chelsea
86′ – Hundreds of Blues fans have left the stadium on what has been an awful night for the west Londoners.
The confidence has been drained from this group and they need a break.
Man United 4-0 Chelsea – Chance
83′ – Garnacho rattles the bar!
Rashford carries the ball up the pitch unopposed, finds Garnacho and he gets into the box before he sees his shot deflected onto the bar by Chalobah.
Man United 4-0 Chelsea
81′ – D Fofana, Loftus-Cheek and Ziyech enter the field for Chukwuemeka, Gallagher and Madueke.
GOAL! Man United 4-0 Chelsea – Marcus Rashford
78′ – WHAT ARE CHELSEA DOING?
Fofana plays a lazy pass that is intercepted.
Fernandes finds Rashford, his initial effort is saved but he taps in the rebound.
Ashton: “Fofana’s pass was taken upon and Rashford just lets him run across his body and then rolls in the loose ball.”
Man United 3-0 Chelsea
74′ – It’s all kicking off!
Fernandes celebrated by cupping his hands to his ears and that irks Fernandez who comes steaming in.
He is shoved away and a little melee ensues, which sees the Argentinian and Malacia booked.
GOAL! Man United 3-0 Chelsea – Bruno Fernandes
73′ – THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WILL BE BACK AT OLD TRAFFORD!
Fernandes waits for Kepa to move to his right, and he plonks the ball into the opposite corner.
And incredibly, United are 3-0 up!
Video source: Manchester united official site
Man United 2-0 Chelsea
72′ – United now have a penalty!
Fernandes slips the ball through Fofana’s legs.
He tries to recover the situation, and clips Fernandes.
He will take the spot kick…
Man United 2-0 Chelsea
70′ – Garnacho and Fred enter the fray for Martial and Eriksen.