MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates with team mates after scoring the teams fourth goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC at Old Trafford on May 25, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Manchester United will be back in the UEFA Champions League next season after thrashing Chelsea 4-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
Premier League
Result: Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea
Date: 25 May 2023
Venue: Old Trafford
Red Devils coach Erik ten Hag named unchanged starting line-up following the win over Bournemouth, although Marcus Rashford was named on the bench. Chelsea, meanwhile, handed starts to Carney Chukwuemeka, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Mandueke.The hosts got off to a perfect start after opening the scoring when Casemiro scored for the second game running after nodding home a free-kick from Christian Eriksen.
United should have had a second goal in the 18th minute after breaking on the counter through Antony, who teed up Anthony Martial who surprisingly took a touch with only Kepa Arrizabalaga to beat before Cesar Azpilicueta made a vital tackle.
Ten Hag was forced to make a change midway in the first half when Antony was stretchered off after tackle from Trevoh Chalobah,, which saw the return of Rashford much earlier than expected.
Chelsea had a big chance to draw themselves level ten minutes before the break when Lewis Hall did well to pick out Kai Havertz, who headed wide of the upright with only David de Gea to beat.
The Blues were made to rue that miss as United got the second goal in first-half stoppage time as Jadon Sancho collected a neat pass from Casemiro before picking out Martial for the simple finish.
United came out guns blazing in the second half as Bruno Fernandes hit the upright on the edge of the box, before Eriksen saw his close-range striker cleared on the line by Kepa.
Frank Lampard introduced Joao Felix and Christian Pulisic after the hour mark, while the home side threw on Fred and Alejandro Garnacho for Eriksen and Martial a few minutes later.
However, United were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute after Wesley Fofana clumsily brought down Fernandes, who dusted himself off and calmly tucked home the spot-kick to make it 3-0.
The fourth goal arrived five minutes later when Fernandes intercepted a poor pass from Fofana before teeing up Rashford, who skipped past one challenge before bundling home for his 30th goal in all competitions.
Felix did bag a late consolation with a composed strike from just outside the area, but United were home and dry by they can now look forward to wrapping up third spot on Sunday in their final game.
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