Evening Standard
·20 September 2025
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea: Blues' Old Trafford hoodoo continues as Red Devils hold on for important win

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·20 September 2025
Blues see unbeaten start to Premier League campaign ended at Old Trafford
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Ten-man Manchester United held on against ten-man Chelsea to ease the pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim.
After suffering defeat in the Manchester derby last weekend, a result which confirmed Man United’s worst start to a league campaign for 30 years, Amorim’s future has been a hot topic in the media since.
Matters were further compounded moments before kick-off as scores from elsewhere in the Premier League meant the Red Devils began the game 17th in the table.
However, come full-time United had reasons to celebrate as first half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro sealed a 2-1 win and preserved their unbeaten run at home against Chelsea which dates back to May 2013.
It was an action-placed match played in challenging conditions at Old Trafford, where the hosts capitalised on Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's mistimed tackle five minutes into the game.
Fernandes marked his 200th Premier League appearance with his 100th goal for United and Casemiro nodded Amorim's men further ahead before needlessly picking up a second yellow card in first-half stoppage time.
United fans goaded Chelsea substitute Alejandro Garnacho on his return to Old Trafford, with Chalobah's header making for a nervy ending but failing to inspire a Chelsea comeback.
The relief was palpable at the end of a match that started with the visitors shooting themselves in the foot.
Sanchez had denied an early Bryan Mbeumo effort and his next attempt to stop the lively summer signing led to an early bath.
Benjamin Sesko's brilliant flick-on put Mbeumo in behind Chelsea's backline, with the keeper rashly bringing down the forward with a high tackle as last man. Referee Peter Bankes had no choice but to brandish a red card.
Enzo Maresca brought on goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen for Estevao and, before play resumed, decided to move to a back five by introducing Tosin Adarabioyo. Pedro Neto was sacrificed and screamed in frustration.
The match became an attack-versus-defence exercise, but patient United found a way through in the 14th minute.
Noussair Mazraoui did well to get over a first-time cross from the right and Patrick Dorgu headed the ball back across goal for Fernandes to prod past Jorgensen. The goal was awarded after a lengthy VAR check for offside.
Mbeumo bent a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box as United sought a quickfire second and Maresca reacted by taking off star man Cole Palmer in the 20th minute to the delight of the Old Trafford faithful.
Casemiro saw a goal ruled out after Amad Diallo failed to keep the ball in play before crossing, but the Brazil midfielder would not be denied for long.
Chelsea failed to deal with danger and Luke Shaw bravely attacked a high ball, with the ball going off Harry Maguire and on to Casemiro to nod past Jorgensen in the 37th minute.
Maresca's visitors looked rattled as United showed the aggression Amorim had called for in the build-up, albeit Casemiro took it too far five minutes into first-half added time.
The veteran had already been booked and his overzealous challenge on Andrey Santos led referee Bankes to show him a second yellow. Amorim walked away shaking his head.
Manuel Ugarte replaced Sesko for a second half that began with pools of surface water making play difficult.
Garnacho received an earful from the Stretford End as he warmed up in front of them, but he would not step on to the field as Maresca looked to other players after Wesley Fofana saw a goal from a corner ruled out for offside.
United made changes of their own as the sought to keep Chelsea at bay, but Amorim's men rarely do things the easy way.