Premier League: Manchester United Edge Past Chelsea As Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro Strike

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, second left, celebrates with his teammates after winning the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

Premier League side Manchester United picked up a crucial 2-1 triumph over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday to ease pressure on underfire manager Ruben Amorim.

Goals from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro helped United to a much-needed win over the Blues who grabbed a consolation through Trevoh Chalobah.

Both sides were down ten men as Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez was given the marching orders as early as the fifth minute of the game, while Brazilian Casemiro was sent off in first half stoppage time.

“I felt the urgency. Of course the Sanchez sending off helped us but we had the red card with Casemiro. We like to complicate our game always,” Amorim said.

“It is really important to win because I understand the situation around this club.

“I have nothing to say to the critics and most of the time they are right. Today we won and it is a good day for us.”

Fighting to avoid being sacked after a dreadful start to the season, Amorim received a welcome boost when Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez was sent off just five minutes into Saturday’s clash. Fernandes quickly put United ahead with his 100th goal for the club in all competitions during his 200th Premier League appearance.

Casemiro doubled United’s lead before the Brazilian midfielder was dismissed for a second booking in first-half stoppage time.

Trevoh Chalobah’s late goal for Chelsea set up a tense finale, but United held on for just their second win in six matches in all competitions this season.

Having started the match just above the relegation zone, Amorim’s side climbed to ninth place, giving the Portuguese coach some breathing space.

Amorim, who has won just nine of his 32 Premier League matches, shouldn’t rest on his laurels just yet.

After overseeing United’s lowest top-flight finish since 1973-74 and a lacklustre Europa League final loss to Tottenham last season, Amorim spent heavily in the summer to overhaul his struggling team.

However, United suffered an embarrassing League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby in August, before last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City highlighted the vast gulf between them and their rivals.

Former Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, insists he retains the backing of co-owner Jim Ratcliffe after speaking with the British billionaire at the club’s training ground on Thursday.

Ratcliffe was in the director’s box at a rain-soaked Old Trafford to see if his support for Amorim was justified.

“I felt the urgency. Of course, Sanchez’s sending off helped us, but we had the red card with Casemiro. We like to complicate our game always,” Amorim said.

“It is really important to win because I understand the situation around this club. I have nothing to say to the critics and most of the time they are right. Today we won and it is a good day for us.”