Manchester United capitalized on Robert Sanchez’s fifth-minute red card to secure a key victory over Chelsea in severe weather at Old Trafford.
The first Premier League encounter to have two or more goals, red cards, and substitutes in the first half was decided by goals from United captain Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who was also sent off before halftime.
However, Sanchez’s dismissal determined the game’s outcome.
The Spain international dashed from his goal to meet Bryan Mbeumo as the striker sped past the Chelsea defence.
Sanchez then upended the forward beyond his area rather than allowing him to tap the ball into an open net.
Enzo Maresca’s reaction to the red card was to substitute both Pedro Neto and Estevao Willian, and Chelsea had lost three attacking players in the space of 20 minutes when Cole Palmer suffered a groin injury.
Trevor Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea with a header 10 minutes from time, but United held their nerve to maintain their lead until the final whistle.
The victory was United’s second of the season, coming in front of minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had given head coach Ruben Amorim assurances about his future 48 hours before.
It also means Chelsea has not won at Old Trafford since 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson was the manager.
United have now won three of their past four Premier League home games, with their single blemish coming against Arsenal on the opening day of the season.
Two of those victories have come after the visiting team had their goalkeeper sent off before halftime when the game was still goalless.
The Blues have not won at this stadium since 2013, and despite United’s waning superpower status, they continue to find new ways to lose here.
The defeat happened as a result of a disastrous 45 minutes.
It began to unravel after Sanchez’s red card, the club’s earliest ever in the Premier League, which came after only four minutes and one second. That moment reflected poorly on both the keeper and his defense for allowing a gap behind.
Maresca decided to replace strikers Estevao Willian and Neto with new goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin Adarabioyo. The Italian manager appeared to be fighting to stay in the game, with the remaining ten players consisting of a back five and a goalie.
However, the plan backfired as Bruno Fernandes scored within nine minutes, and star forward Cole Palmer was replaced seven minutes later due to a flare-up of a previous groin injury.
Palmer was replaced by midfielder Andrey Santos after 20 minutes and five seconds, the quickest any Premier League side has made three changes.
The England forward headed straight down the tunnel for treatment before returning to watch the game with an ice pack on the injured area.
Casemiro scored late in the half and was subsequently sent off just before the break, but despite Chalobah’s late headed goal, Chelsea could not recover a point.
