Matheus Cunha scored the winner for Manchester United to strengthen the Reds’ hopes for next season’s Uefa Champions League.
At Stamford bridge, Manchester United narrowly defeated Chelsea in the Premier League match on Saturday 18 April, 2026, thanks to Cunha’s 43rd minute goal.
The Blues recorded better chances than their visitors and struck the woodwork on three (3) occasions.
In the opening period, Estavao came close to netting for Liam Rosenior’s side, brushing the post with a whipped shot across goal. Argentine midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, also guided a good chance wide, however, just two (2) minutes before halftime, the hosts were behind after Cunha converted Bruno Fernandes’ assist.
In the second half, Liam Delap’s header hit the crossbar and Wesley Fofana’s effort struck the woodwork, but, despite all the pressure mounted by the Blues and late push wide from Moses Caicedo, the home side finished the showdown with nothing to show for their efforts.
Rosenoir made changes in a bid to salvage the game by replacing Malo Gusto and Fofana with Josh Acheampong and Trevor Chalobah respectively, but, nothing positive was achieved.
The Blues gathered momentum and came close to a leveller in the closing stages of the match through Fernandez, but, Michael Carrick’s Reds held on and returned home with all three (3) points.
What comes next?
Chelsea will play against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League match on Tuesday 21 April, 2026 at AMEX Stadium at 20:00 (WAT), while Manchester United will face Brentford in a top flight game on Monday 27 April, 2026 at 20:00 (WAT) at Old Trafford.
Carrick’s post-victory comments:
Michael Carrick, head coach of Manchester United, described the win as “massive” for the Reds. He told TNT Sports, it took “a lot of work” to keep the clean sheet against Chelsea.
The former Manchester United midfielder said: “I can’t play that one down, that was massive, that was a big win for us. They had some opportunities but to keep a clean sheet and defend like we did, there was a lot of work that had to go into the last day or so in terms of prepping the team with a new back four.”
Results:
| Premier League 2025/26 – Saturday 18 April, 2026 |
| Brentford 0-0 Fulham |
| Leeds United 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| Newcastle United 1-2 AFC Bournemouth |
| Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Brighton |
| Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United |
Photo: Manchester United Brazilian attacking midfielder, Matheus Cunha
