Man United have confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League after hammering Chelsea 4-1 in the Premier League on Thursday making it mathematically impossible for Liverpool to catch them.
Eric Ten Haag’s men needed only a point, but got all three and moved above Newcastle into third place as they saw off an abject Chelsea.
A goal each from Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes (penalty) and Marcus Rashford meant that the home fans could celebrate Champions League football once more.
Here is how the players rated at Old Trafford:
Man Utd
David de Gea – 7 – Made four saves but let in a late goal that meant he failed to add another to his season high of 17 clean sheets.
Aaron Wan Bissaka – 6 – Never flashy but definitely deserves to be in the side at the moment, for his work rate, his tackling and interceptions.
Raphael Varane – 7 – Will have harder challenges than facing the lightweight attack of Chelsea but marshalled the back line well.
Victor Lindelof – 7 – The Swede made four recoveries, two interceptions and only misplaced one of his 63 passes. He most likely has helped Harry Maguire out the door this summer.
Luke Shaw – 6 – Started well but was surprisingly subbed at half-time. United fans will hope it was just tiredness rather than an actual injury as he is a key player.
Casemiro – 8 – Scored the crucial first, controlled the midfield battle. The Brazilian is a massive player for United and they need to work on finding him a suitable back up this summer.
Christian Eriksen – 7 – His free transfer continues to look one of the bargains of the season. He does a little of everything and does it well including an assist.
Antony – 6 – Unfortunate to go off injured after just 29 minutes. Had looked lovely in his time on the pitch.
Bruno Fernandes – 8 – The penalty was composed and classy, the performance was excellent but doesn’t help himself with some of his theatrics.
Jadon Sancho – 6 – Did well in creating the second for Martial but otherwise nothing to write home about. Saw a lot of the ball but lost a lot of the ball, still isn’t clicking for him.
Anthony Martial – 7 – Got a goal so can be happy with his work for the evening. Offers (obviously to everyone but Ten Haag) a lot more than Weghorst in that position.
Substitutes:
Marcus Rashford (for Antony 29′) – 8 – An absolute menace who taunted Chelsea with his close control and pace. Got a goal at the end that his performance merited and will play a massive part if United are to beat City.
Tyrell Malacia (for Shaw 45′) – 6 – Doesn’t quite have the same impact as Shaw going forward but never lets the side down at the back.
Alejandro Garnacho (for Martial 70′) – 6- Had a chance he put over the bar but a willing runner and a threat to tired legs.
Fred (for Eriksen 70′)- 6- Came on when the game was won and kept the midfield ticking over
Scott McTominay (for Bruno Fernandes 86′)- N/A- Late sub for Bruno.
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Chelsea
Kepa – 6 – Strangely for a team that conceded four, the ‘keeper wasn’t really the problem. He made five saves but it is clear the Blues will look to strengthen here in the summer.
Lewis Hall – 7 – Could have had a few assists if any Chelsea player had brought their shooting boots. Probably one of if not the only bright spot of this whole Lampard mess has been his emergence.
Trevor Chabolah – 5 – Put his body on the line and fought for the cause but never really convinces as a top class defender.
Wesley Fofana – 4 – Can somebody drive back to Leicester and check where they hid the real Wesley? Confidence looks shot and not the same player he was at the Foxes last season.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 5 – Was run ragged all season and a great Chelsea career should surely end this summer. He did redeem himself with one great last ditch tackle to deny Martial.
Enzo Fernandez – 6 – Does not do much wrong but then again harder to wonder what he does a lot of. Certainly not the worst Chelsea buy but does not look value for me.
Conor Gallagher – 6 – Offered energy and enthusiasm but little end project. Deserve credit for being one of the few Blues who didn’t treat this like the Community Shield.
Carney Chukwuemaka – 6 – Moves the ball well and tried to look positive but was often careless in possession.
Mykhalo Mudryk – 5 – A night to forget in a season to forget. Snatched horribly at a good chance early that could have changed the game.
Kai Havertz – 5 – The German has looked absolutely lost since Thomas Tuchel left and offered nothing here.
Noni Madueke – 5 – Worked hard to win the ball but then give it away quickly again. One of the 873 players signed at the deadline who has not impressed.
Substitutes:
Christian Pulisic (for Mudryk 64′) – 5 – Touched the ball eight times.
Joao Felix (for Havertz 64′) – 7 – Netted the only Chelsea goal of the game. A direct run and finish. Not the answer up front for Chelsea but has shown enough in the loan spell that someone could be interested in him this summer.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Chukwuemeka 82′) – N/A- Late sub
Hakim Ziyceh (for Madueke 82′) – N/A – Got the assist for the Felix goal.
David Datro Fofana (for Gallagher 82′) – N/A – No matter what he did was never going to be the worst Fofana on the field.