Manchester United secured a tense 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday, delivering a crucial boost to beleaguered manager Ruben Amorim as both sides finished the match with 10 men.
Amid mounting pressure following a rocky start to the season, Amorim was handed an early lifeline when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was controversially sent off just five minutes into the game. Sanchez’s reckless challenge on Bryan Mbeumo denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity and left Chelsea scrambling for answers.
Capitalizing on the advantage, Bruno Fernandes marked his 200th Premier League appearance with a milestone 100th goal for United, firing the hosts ahead in the 14th minute. Midfielder Casemiro extended the lead in the 37th minute with a clinical header—his first league goal in nearly a year—after Chelsea’s defensive woes deepened.
However, the game took another dramatic turn just before halftime when Casemiro received a second yellow card for pulling back Andrey Santos, reducing United to ten men.
Chelsea fought back fiercely in the second half, with Trevoh Chalobah pulling a goal back in the 80th minute, heading powerfully past Altay Bayindir. Despite the late surge, Chelsea couldn’t find an equalizer, handing United their second win in six matches across all competitions this season.
The victory lifted United from the relegation zone to ninth place, offering Amorim some much-needed breathing room after a difficult campaign start that has seen just nine wins from 32 Premier League matches under his stewardship.
The Portuguese coach, who replaced Erik ten Hag last November, has faced criticism following last season’s lowest league finish since 1973-74 and a Europa League final defeat. Despite significant summer investment, including a high-profile squad overhaul, United’s recent performances, such as a humiliating League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby and a 3-0 loss to Manchester City, left many questioning Amorim’s tactics and future.
Amorim, however, appeared defiant, sticking with his favored 3-4-3 formation, a system he humorously claimed “even the Pope couldn’t change” this week. His gamble paid off at Old Trafford, where United’s quick start set the tone for a gritty win.
Chelsea’s woes were compounded by early injuries, including the forced substitution of England forward Cole Palmer, further hampering their chances of a comeback.
Co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, present in the directors’ box despite heavy rain, seemed to back Amorim, who recently reaffirmed his support from the billionaire after discussions at the club’s training ground.
As the season progresses, Amorim will hope this hard-fought victory marks a turning point for Manchester United, a club desperate to regain its stature among England’s elite.
AFP
