Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and final score as United seal Champions League place

Manchester United secured qualification for next season’s Champions League as Erik ten Hag’s men roared to a comprehensive 4-1 victory against wasteful Chelsea.

The Dutchman has led the Red Devils to Carabao Cup glory and next month’s FA Cup final during a promising first season that looked certain to end in a top-four finish until a recent wobble.

But Ten Hag has righted the ship and United secured a return to European football’s top table with a game to spare as Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored against toothless Chelsea.

This was a club record 16th defeat in a 38-match Premier League season for Frank Lampard’s Blues, who saw a bad early Mykhailo Mudryk miss punished by a sixth minute Casemiro header.

Further Chelsea chances went begging across the evening, including the miss by Conor Gallagher in first half stoppage time that was followed by Martial scoring.

Bruno Fernandes’ penalty and substitute Marcus Rashford’s goal – his 30th of the season in all competitions – wrapped up a victory that was only dampened by Antony’s exit on a stretcher and a late Joao Felix consolation.

We will bring you all the action and updates from today's game in the live blog below:

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates

• FULL TIME! Manchester United seal top-four finish with thumping win over shambolic Chelsea

• 88’ GOAL! Felix pulls one back with excellent individual effort (MUN 4-1 CHE)

• 78’ GOAL! Rashford makes it four as Chelsea fall apart (MUN 4-0 CHE)

• 72’ GOAL! Fernandes converts penalty after Fofana trip (MUN 3-0 CHE)

• 47’ OFF THE BAR! Fernandes rattles the crossbar after the restart (MUN 2-0 CHE)

• 45+5’ GOAL! Martial doubles United’s lead after wonderful Casemiro pass (MUN 2-0 CHE)

• 45+1': CLOSE! Gallagher drags wide after smart Chelsea move (MUN 1-0 CHE)

• 27’ INJURY - Antony stretchered off days ahead of FA Cup final (MUN 1-0 CHE)

• 6’ GOAL! Casemiro heads United in front after Mudryk miss (MUN 1-0 CHE)

Manchester United FC 4 - 1 Chelsea FC

FULL TIME! Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea

22:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester United owe Champions League return to Casemiro, their serial winner

Last May, Casemiro won the Champions League. This May, he has qualified for it. It sounds the lesser achievement. A player who played in four Champions League final victories is now mathematically assured of a top-four finish. As Manchester United returned to the top table of European football, it owed much to Casemiro.

Over the season, he has been a catalytic force. On the night when they condemned Chelsea to defeat and Liverpool to the Europa League, he was again. United had been short of goals of late but Casemiro started a rout of the 2021 Champions League winners.

Erik ten Hag bought a defensive midfielder, but Casemiro has contributed much in attack. He scored the opening goal and helped set up the second with a sand wedge of a pass.

Anthony Martial scored it, Bruno Fernandes added a third from the penalty spot before the substitute Marcus Rashford became the first player to score 30 goals in a season for United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. But the name that echoed most around Old Trafford, unsurprisingly, was Casemiro’s.

By Richard Jolly at Old Trafford

Manchester United owe Champions League return to Casemiro, their serial winner

FULL TIME! Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea

22:50 , Jamie Braidwood

Erik ten Hag on United’s return to the Champions League: “It’s important. This club belongs in the Champions League. But it is not easy in the Premier League, it’s tough. A lot compete for those positions - seven or eight teams. It’s a massive performance when you get this done.

“We are back in the Champions League. That is an important step. If you want to be successful you have to be in that competition.”

22:21 , Jamie Braidwood

Reaction from Liverpool as Manchester United’s top-four place is secured...

Mohamed Salah says he is “totally devastated” by Liverpool missing out on the Champions League.

“There’s absolutely no excuse for this. We had everything we needed to make it to next year’s Champions League and we failed. We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum. I am sorry but it’s too soon for an uplifting or optimistic post. We let you and ourselves down.”

FULL TIME! Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea

21:58 , Jamie Braidwood

A thumping win for Manchester United - who return to the Champions League in style!

As for Chelsea - have they hit a new low tonight? The Blues were a shambles in the second half.

Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea

21:57 , Jamie Braidwood

SAVE! Kepa denies McTominay this time! It could have been even worse for Chelsea and Frank Lampard.

GOAL! Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea (JOAO FELIX 89’)

21:53 , Jamie Braidwood

One back for the Blues - but what a consolation goal this is by the way.

Felix carries the ball from inside the Chelsea half and then produces a superb finish to beat De Gea.

Straight away at the other end, Garnacho is denied by Kepa.

Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea

21:50 , Jamie Braidwood

84 mins: Fernandes is taken off to be wrapped in cotton wool after the FA Cup final.

De Gea takes the armband for the final few minutes.

Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea

21:47 , Jamie Braidwood

81 mins: Chelsea are heading for their worst Premier League defeat of the season.

The Blues conceded four goals against Brighton in a 4-1 thrashing under Graham Potter, this is set to top that.

There was more handbags soon after United’s fourth as De Gea crashed into Pulisic and there is some pushing and shoving.

Meanwhile, Loftus-Cheek, Ziyech and David Fofana are all on.

GOAL! Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea (RASHFORD 78’)

21:42 , Jamie Braidwood

IT’S TURNING INTO A ROUT!

Chelsea are all over the place from a goal-kick and Fofana gives the ball away under no pressure at all.

Rashford picks it up and skips past Kepa to make it four.

“Shambles,” fumes Gary Neville on Sky Sports.

Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea

21:39 , Jamie Braidwood

74 mins: Now what’s happened here? There are some handbags after the goal, with Enzo Fernandez getting himself involved in an argument with Malacia.

Both players are booked.

GOAL! Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea (FERNANDES pen 73’)

21:36 , Jamie Braidwood

Fernandes stutters... and sends Kepa the wrong way!

Easy.

PENALTY! Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:35 , Jamie Braidwood

71 mins: Fernandes nutmegs Fofana, there’s an outstretched leg - penalty!

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:34 , Jamie Braidwood

68 mins: Chelsea are still trying - Gallagher tries to work a yard in the box but is halted by the imperious Casemiro. There’s a half-shout for a penalty but Gallagher slipped.

Chelsea fans are now singing: “You’re nothing special, we lose every week.”

Ouch.

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:28 , Jamie Braidwood

64 mins: Double change for Chelsea: Havertz and Mudryk are replaced by Pulisic and Felix.

Havertz is... not pleased. The German kicks out at something as he makes his way to the bench.

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:26 , Jamie Braidwood

62 mins: Madueke goes down after running into Casemiro in the box, before Havertz heads straight at De Gea.

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:25 , Jamie Braidwood

60 mins:... and now United break with a four-on-three! End-to-end stuff at Old Trafford but United make a mess of it, as Fernandes passes behind Rashford.

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:24 , Jamie Braidwood

58 mins: SAVE! Excellent again from Lewis Hall - who has been Chelsea’s best player by a mile tonight - as he cuts inside onto his left foot and fires at goal. De Gea punches clear, before Mudryk tries his luck. This time the shot loops up well and De Gea can collect.

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:21 , Jamie Braidwood

56 mins: Well, the game is certainly more reflective of the scoreline now. Whatever Ten Hag said at half time has worked and United have been much improved.

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:17 , Jamie Braidwood

51 mins: CLOSE! How did this not go in?! Excellent again from United - as Malacia gets to the byline and pulls it back for Eriksen, who somehow can’t flick it over the line! It was just behind him.

Casemiro then fires wide from outside of the box.

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:11 , Jamie Braidwood

47 mins: OFF THE BAR! Lovely football from United - Sancho’s flick sets up Fernandes, but he places his shot against the crossbar!

Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:09 , Jamie Braidwood

Luke Shaw is replaced by Tyrell Malacia at the break - and we’re back underway at Old Trafford.

HALF TIME: Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

21:09 , Jamie Braidwood

As it stands, Manchester United will go into the final day with a two-point lead over Newcastle, who are also guaranteed a place in the top four.

United would simply need to better Newcastle’s result on the final day to confirm third place.

Newcastle are at Chelsea on Sunday.

HALF TIME: Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea

20:58 , Jamie Braidwood

What a strange half of football at Old Trafford.

Chelsea were the better side - but the half was rather summed up by United scoring two goals immediately after the visitors wasted chances at the other end.

Casemiro has been the difference and his goal and (pre) assist has United on the verge of the Champions League.

GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea (MARTIAL 45+5')

20:51 , Jamie Braidwood

You know what, I stand by my previous post. United have been so poor tonight, but they somehow lead by two goals at the break!

Martial gets the goal but Casemiro has been the difference. Already with one goal, the midfielder splits Chelsea apart from a stunning chipped pass.

It plays through Sancho, who squares to Martial to double United’s lead with a tap-in at the back post.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:50 , Jamie Braidwood

45+4 mins: Sancho leads a United break but gets his pass back to Eriksen horribly wrong. United, Casemiro’s header aside, have been so poor tonight.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:47 , Jamie Braidwood

45+1 mins: CLOSE! So close from Chelsea, after a lovely move! The pass from Fernandez is stunning, and finds Gallagher bursting into the box. The midfielder’s touch sets up the shot, but the effort is dragged just an inch or two wide of the far post!

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:46 , Jamie Braidwood

43 mins: Now Gallagher tries his luck with a curler from outside of the box - wide.

Havertz and Fernandez throw their arms up.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:44 , Jamie Braidwood

41 mins: Good spell from Chelsea. They keep United pushed back, with Mudryk this time getting to the byline and cutting back.

It finds Hall - Chelsea’s best player so far - but the left back’s shot is blocked by Wan-Bissaka.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:41 , Jamie Braidwood

37 mins: Strange game, this. United have been second-best and a better team than Chelsea could have been out of sight.

Mudryk is the latest Chelsea player to take a heavy touch in an attacking area - woefully booting Fernandez’s pass out of play.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:36 , Jamie Braidwood

34 mins: Fernandes goes to ground in the box after the slightest touch from behind from Fofana. The referee waves it away immediately.

Sancho then does well to create a yard of space in the box, but he can’t get his shot away. Fofana throws himself into the block.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:33 , Jamie Braidwood

32 mins: WHAT A MISS! Chelsea - what are you doing? The visitors could have scored three already.

Hall does brilliantly from left back - setting up Havertz with a wonderful cross.

But the German steers his header wide from inside six yards. An awful miss!

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:28 , Jamie Braidwood

26 mins: This looks serious for Antony. The stretcher has been called and Rashford is warming up.

It looks like Antony’s foot just got caught under Chalobah as the defender slid in - a total accident.

The winger is stretchered off and replaced by Rashford - he tried to put his weight on his foot after getting up but couldn’t manage it.

The FA Cup final is only nine days away.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:25 , Jamie Braidwood

24 mins: Antony is down and receiving treatment - a worry ahead of the FA Cup final...

The Brazilian was challenged by Chalobah as he looked to dribble through a couple of Chelsea defenders - but he is now banging the turf in agony.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:24 , Jamie Braidwood

22 mins: This could genuinely be about 2-2 already, but the finishing from both teams has been sloppy.

Apart from Casemiro, that is, who now has seven for the season.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:20 , Jamie Braidwood

18 mins: Chance! One long ball and United suddenly have a 3-on-1! Antony squares to Martial, but his touch lets him down and Azpilicueta slides in!

That should have been two - so poor from Martial.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:18 , Jamie Braidwood

15 mins: Enzo Fernandez looks frustrated as he switches play to Madueke, only for the winger to lose control with his touch. Chelsea have had some good moments early on, but this is a big ask of a young side.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:15 , Jamie Braidwood

13 mins: Antony cuts inside onto his left foot but slips as he shoots for the far corner. That was not very convincing...

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

20:12 , Jamie Braidwood

9 mins: Another decent moment for Chelsea as they break down the right, but again Havertz misses the chance to find Gallagher.

Chelsea are getting behind United, but they look so short of confidence in front of goal.

GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea (CASEMIRO 6’)

20:07 , Jamie Braidwood

Just the start United wanted - and another huge goal from Casemiro! The midfielder is unmarked from a wide free kick and heads the hosts in front. The goal is awarded after a brief VAR check.

How costly will that miss from Mudryk be?

Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea

20:06 , Jamie Braidwood

CHANCE! It’s sharp from Chelsea to cut through United - it’s worked wide to Hall and the left back squares to Mudryk.

Surely a goal? No! Mudryk steers wide from in front of the posts.

Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea

20:04 , Jamie Braidwood

3 mins: United make a fast start but Chelsea make a break as Lindelof slips. Havertz had the chance to play in Gallagher, but turned it down, before Chukwuemeka curls over.

KICK-OFF! Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea

20:02 , Jamie Braidwood

1 min: United get us underway, as some anti-Glazer chants ring out from the Stretford End.

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Here come the teams! Kick-off at Old Trafford is next.

Can Frank Lampard’s side spoil United’s night?

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Erik ten Hag expects Marcus Rashford to be ready to face Chelsea on Thursday night but admitted he is not sure whether Manchester United’s top scorer is fully fit.

Rashford is on the bench tonight after he missed United’s last two fixtures, first with a leg injury and then through illness.

Asked if the 29-goal forward was ready to play, Ten Hag said: “It looks like (it). Yesterday, he returned to training, he looks quite fit but we have to see today what is the outcome of the training, how did we recover and then we will make our choices.”

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:51 , Jamie Braidwood

Chelsea must move beyond football’s tendency to be reactionary if the club hope to create a long-term vision for their future, according to Frank Lampard.

Co-owner Todd Boehly has sacked two managers this season in what has been the team’s poorest campaign of the Premier League era, with a record low number of points won and a first bottom-half finish since 1996 now certain.

They are one of 11 top-flight clubs to have changed manager at least once this season, with themselves, Leeds and relegated Southampton having dispensed with two, as the average tenure for a Premier League coach has shrunk to just over 18 months.

Chelsea’s previously indifferent form has plummeted since Graham Potter was removed on April 2, with one win in 10 games in all competitions. The team has failed to score in six of those matches following Potter’s sacking.

Lampard takes his team to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday looking for only his second win in his 10th game since taking charge, having lost seven of the previous nine.

With Mauricio Pochettino expected to be confirmed imminently as the manager for next season, the outgoing interim coach suggested a resistance to modern trends must prevail if Chelsea are to challenge once more.

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:46 , Jamie Braidwood

Frank Lampard said Mason Mount would sign a new contract at Chelsea “in an ideal world” but accepted the situation may not be so straightforward for the England midfielder.

“It’s a hard one for me to comment on because I’m not inside Mason’s head and from the club’s point of view my role is clearly what it is,” said Lampard, who takes his side to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday.

“In the practical sense it’s completely between both sides on that front. I’m not surprised because this is football. Does everyone know that I really like Mason Mount as a lad and as a football player? Yes, sure, of course they do.

“I wish him the best personally and sitting here with my Chelsea top on now, I’ve seen what Mason has delivered at this club. But we’ll see.”

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester United are confident of securing Mason Mount from Chelsea if they confirm Champions League qualification, which coincidentally could happen against the London side on Thursday night, reports Miguel Delaney.

The English midfielder is available for transfer since he has not signed a new deal with his contract up next year, and Chelsea needing to drastically trim their squad anyway.

While this is set to be a disappointment to Stamford Bridge supporters who value the club bringing through young players, it is precisely this that has proven attractive to United to go with Mount’s abilities.

At £55 million, the 24-year-old is seen as cheap for an English international of his achievement, and is considered an upgrade on what United have in that area. Managers who play a pressing style like Erik ten Hag especially value Mount for his understanding of that approach and his disciplined execution.

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Chelsea have named their youngest ever Premier League team tonight, with nine players aged under 24.

They are only the third team in Premier League history to start with nine players aged under 24, according to Opta.

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Erik ten Hag has insisted that spending money without a strategy is a recipe for failure as he considered Chelsea’s season and the possibility of a takeover at Manchester United.

Chelsea have committed around £600 million for 16 new signings since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought the club a year ago but the 2021 Champions League winners visit Old Trafford on Thursday certain to finish in the bottom half of the table.

Ten Hag has spent around £200m in his reign but United, who came sixth last season, will be guaranteed a top-four finish if they avoid defeat in either of their last two games of the season.

Erik ten Hag tells Chelsea ‘money doesn’t work’ without strategy

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:35 , Jamie Braidwood

A biography of Manchester United’s first genuinely great manager, Sir Matt Busby, is entitled ‘A Strange Kind of Glory’. More than half a century after Busby last managed United, almost 30 years since his death, one of his successors, Erik ten Hag, is on the brink of a strange kind of success.

A point is required to make the Dutchman the latest manager to follow in Busby’s footsteps and steer United into the European Cup or Champions League. Factor in a trophy, rendering him the eighth United manager to secure major silverware, and his debut season will represent a triumph, especially after the nadir of 2021-22, of a Premier League record low of 58 points and a goal difference of zero, of a campaign that ended with six straight away defeats.

A year on, Ten Hag has rebooted and revived United, writes Richard Jolly.

How Erik ten Hag survived stunning lows to lead Manchester United’s revival

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Odds

Manchester United win 4/6

Draw 7/2

Chelsea win 17/4

Prediction

Manchester United secure a top four finish with a home win.Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest build-up

19:31 , Jamie Braidwood

When is Manchester United vs Chelsea?

Manchester United vs Chelsea is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 25 May at Old Trafford in Manchester.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage on the channels from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via Sky Go.

Manchester United vs Chelsea LIVE: Confirmed line-ups

19:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag named an unchanged side as Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman stuck with the same team that beat Bournemouth at the weekend and top scorer Marcus Rashford returned to the bench after missing recent games.

Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and Carney Chukwuemeka came in for Chelsea as Thiago Silva, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Raheem Sterling dropped out. The latter was absent from the squad entirely due to a hamstring injury.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Martial

Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Fofana, Chalobah, Hall, Fernandez, Gallagher, Chukwuemeka, Madueke, Havertz, Mudryk