Man United vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Cristiano Ronaldo salvages point
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea: Marcos Alonso’s opener was cancelled out by Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s fifth goal in three games salvaged a point for Manchester United in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Thursday that further damaged his team’s chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Ronaldo ran onto a ball over the Chelsea defense from Nemanja Matic and delivered a clinical finish in the 62nd minute, two minutes after Marcos Alonso gave the visitors the lead.
Reece James later curled a shot against the post for Chelsea, which dominated the first half but found United goalkeeper David de Gea in fine form.
With only three games left to play in the league, United stayed in sixth place — five points behind fourth-place Arsenal and having played two matches more than its rival for Champions League qualification.
Tottenham is between the two teams, in the fifth spot, with three more points than United and two games in hand.
Chelsea consolidated third place and is six points above Arsenal.
Ronaldo came into the game having scored a hat trick against Norwich and another goal against Arsenal in his previous two games.
On 17 goals, Ronaldo is tied with Son Heung-min in second place in the Premier League scoring chart behind Mohamed Salah.
Thomas Tuchel: If Manchester United need open heart surgery, Chelsea just want a facelift
Thomas Tuchel has insisted Chelsea’s squad only needs a facelift for next season, ahead of taking on a Manchester United side that Ralf Rangnick reckons requires “open heart surgery”.
Blues coach Tuchel will go head to head with mentor Rangnick at Old Trafford in Thursday’s Premier League clash, adamant that Chelsea do not need the emergency operation being talked about by the Red Devils.
Where Rangnick believes new United boss Erik Ten Hag will have to breathe new life into the Old Trafford ranks, Tuchel still remains confident Chelsea’s needs only run skin deep.
Thomas Tuchel: If United need open heart surgery, Chelsea want a facelift
Tuchel remains confident but admits Chelsea will need to be efficient in the transfer market
Lindelof on Elanga’s development
Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof has been speaking about his teammate, Anthony Elanga, and whether the youngster can have a bright career at Old Trafford.
“For sure, he’s got a great future ahead of him,” said Lindelof. “But he’s young and we have to let him take the time he needs. He’s been playing quite a lot of games recently and performing well.
“When I talk to young players and especially to Anthony, as we’re both from Sweden, I just tell him to listen to the guys who have been in his position before.
“That’s the good thing: there are always people who have been in your shoes before, and they can talk to you about their experiences and what they think is important.”
Man Utd vs Chelsea
If Chelsea avoid defeat in this match they will guarantee a top-five finish, ensuring they finish above Manchester United.
They have 65 points with six games remaining. The Blues’ final points totals in the last two seasons were 66 in 2019-20 and 67 in 2020-21.
Ralf Rangnick suggests next Manchester United captain could be picked by players
Ralf Rangnick offered no assurances that Harry Maguire will retain the Manchester United captaincy next season and suggested that a player vote could determine the squad’s next leader.
Erik ten Hag is set to make sweeping changes when he succeeds Rangnick in the summer, with a drastic overhaul of the squad planned.
Maguire’s form has been a near-constant cause of concern during a torrid campaign, while a knee injury has also hampered the England international.
Asked whether Maguire should keep the captaincy, Rangnick said: “I understand your question but again it doesn’t make sense because we don’t know what kind of players will be here, what the group will look like.”
Ralf Rangnick suggests next Manchester United captain could be picked by players
Harry Maguire’s captaincy has come under question during a poor spell of form
Man Utd vs Chelsea
“It would be better to be in the Champions League but it also affects other clubs,” says Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick about the club’s chances of making it into the top four.
“The renewal of Bruno Fernandes’ contract shows this is still an attractive club, a massively interesting club. I hope to help Erik [ten Hag] change the whole approach so Manchester United can be a top club again.”
Man Utd vs Chelsea
Manchester United have lost five of their last eight matches in all competitions and they could equal the club record of three successive Premier League defeats.
Ralf Rangnick vows to ‘change everything for the better’ at Manchester United
Ralf Rangnick is determined to end his interim reign on a positive note before trying to help Manchester United “change everything for the better” in his consultancy role.
A season that started with hope and expectation is hurtling towards a poor conclusion, with the stuttering Red Devils hosting Chelsea on Thursday night looking to avoid a third straight defeat.
Hopes of sealing Champions League football next season were all but extinguished with last week’s defeats at Liverpool and Arsenal, leaving sixth-placed United six points behind the Gunners in the final qualification berth.
Ralf Rangnick vows to ‘change everything for the better’ at Manchester United
The interim manager is set to take up a consultancy role with the Red Devils in the summer
Ralf Rangnick to be named new Austrian manager
Manchester United’s interim boss, Ralf Rangnick, is set to be named as the new manager of Austria. According to Sky Sports News the announcement should come within the next 24 hours.
Despite taking over the Austrian national team Rangnick will continue in his consultancy role at Old Trafford until 2024 in whatever guise that takes following the appointment of Erik ten Hag as the new United boss.
Man Utd vs Chelsea
Chelsea have won only one of their last 13 games at Old Trafford in all competitions - with six draws and six defeats - a 1-0 Premier League victory in May 2013.
However, Chelsea are the only club to have won more Premier League games versus Manchester United than they have lost - won 18, drawn 24, lost 17.
Man Utd vs Chelsea
Chelsea have won just two of their last 12 matches against Manchester United in all competitions. The Blues triumphed in the 2018 FA Cup final and 2020 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
They are winless in eight Premier League meetings since a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge in November 2017.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments