(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Manchester United added a vital three points to the board following Saturday’s win over Chelsea.
The Red Devils enjoyed a free-flowing 40 minutes of attacking action in the aftermath of Robert Sanchez’s early sending-off at Old Trafford, with the side able to capitalise through Bruno Fernandes, who recorded his 100th goal, and Casemiro.
However, the latter would eventually go from hero to zero.
How Casemiro let himself down after crucial header vs Chelsea
Casemiro was shown an initial yellow card in just the 17th minute for fouling Enzo Fernandez on the back of his leg. Then, in the fifth minute of injury time before the interval, he used both hands to pull on the shoulders of compatriot Andrey Santos, bringing both the winger and himself to the ground and earning himself a second booking.
It was a needless foul given how, at that stage, United were in complete control of the game with Chelsea posing little to no threat to Altay Bayindir’s goal. Reacting on X/Twitter, Samuel Luckhurst branded the veteran’s red card offence ‘utterly brainless’.
Needless to say that both clubs entering the second half with 10 men apiece made for a nervy 45 minutes for Ruben Amorim’s men, who were unable to extend their advantage.
Chelsea did get one foot back in the tie when Trevor Chalobah cancelled out Bayindir’s clean sheet with 10 minutes left to play, though they could not muster up an equaliser.
Where the result leaves United
United end matchweek five in 11th place, level on points with Manchester City after their draw with Arsenal and only three points adrift of the top four.
They travel to face Brentord this weekend followed by Sunderland next Saturday afternoon in a 3pm kick-off, after which club action comes to a halt for yet another untimely international break.
