Manchester United eased the strain on Ruben Amorim with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford, though the manager warned his players to stop making life “complicated” for themselves.
Robert Sanchez’s fifth-minute red card handed United an early advantage, which Bruno Fernandes capitalised on with his 100th goal for the club.
Casemiro added a second before being sent off himself just before half-time, leaving Trevoh Chalobah’s late strike to set up a tense finale.
The win, only United’s second in six matches, lifted them away from the relegation zone and provisionally up to ninth, but Amorim was quick to stress the need for consistency.
“It was really important. I think we deserved it, but we complicated our lives every time,” he said. “We need to return that urgency. In a big club, you don’t relax after one good win.
”Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admitted Sanchez’s dismissal wrecked his plans. “Probably it is the best solution to be 1-0 down after three minutes than one player down,” he said. “Even Robert is aware of that, but it’s difficult in the moment. He has to decide in a second.
”Maresca also revealed Cole Palmer was withdrawn after aggravating a groin problem. “He made a fantastic effort to play, but he was not 100 per cent,” he added.United will now look to build momentum at Brentford next weekend, while Chelsea’s long wait for a league win at Old Trafford, stretching back to 2013, continues.
