Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea: Erik ten Hag's Team Clinch Top-Four Finish with Impressive Win, Sparked by Casemiro

 Manchester United delivered a resounding 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, securing their qualification for next season's Champions League and solidifying their place in the Premier League's top four.

The match began with an early breakthrough for Manchester United, as Casemiro headed in the opener just six minutes into the game. This set the tone for the Red Devils, who never relinquished their grip on the match. Despite Chelsea's efforts to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities, they found themselves trailing 2-0 just before halftime, with Anthony Martial converting Jadon Sancho's pass.

In the second half, Manchester United continued to assert their dominance. Bruno Fernandes, who had previously hit the crossbar, extended their lead to 3-0 from the penalty spot. Marcus Rashford then sealed the victory with his 30th goal of the season, scoring from close range. Chelsea managed to find a consolation goal through Joao Felix, but the defeat further highlighted their disappointing season, leaving them in 12th place in the table.

The lineup for Manchester United featured a 4-2-3-1 formation, with David De Gea in goal, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw in defense. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen formed the midfield duo, while Antony, Bruno Fernandes, and Jadon Sancho operated behind lone striker Anthony Martial. As for Chelsea, they lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal and a lineup consisting of Cesar Azpilicueta, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, and Ethan Hall in defense. Conor Gallagher, Fernandez, and Jacob Chukwuemeka formed the midfield trio, supporting the attacking trio of Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, and Viktor Mudryk.

Under the guidance of manager Erik ten Hag, Manchester United showcased a more clinical approach to finishing in this match. Throughout the season, they have sometimes struggled to convert their dominance into convincing victories. However, this game was different as they generated an impressive 5.14 expected goals, the highest figure recorded by any team in a single Premier League match this season, according to Opta data. Although they missed a few opportunities and promising attacks broke down, the performance was a positive step forward in Ten Hag's tenure.

With the final whistle, Manchester United sealed their place in the top four and secured Champions League football for the upcoming season. Their attacking prowess overwhelmed Chelsea, and the result pushed them up to third in the league standings heading into the final day. The victory was met with appreciation from the visiting fans, while Chelsea supporters eagerly await the conclusion of a challenging season.

In the 89th minute, Chelsea managed to salvage a consolation goal, with Hakim Ziyech delivering a fine pass to Joao Felix, who confidently struck the ball into the bottom-left corner, leaving goalkeeper David De Gea with no chance to save. This moment offered some solace to the Chelsea faithful, even though it spoiled a potentially rewarding bet for a spectator nearby.

In the 78th minute, Manchester United added a fourth goal to their tally. Fofana lost possession near the edge of the Chelsea box, allowing Fernandes to pass the ball sideways to Rashford. With a brilliant dummy move, Rashford deceived the defender and unleashed a shot that Kepa Arrizabalaga managed to touch, but the rebound was simple for Rashford to tap home.

Overall, Manchester United's convincing victory showcased their attacking prowess and secured their place in the Champions League, while Chelsea endured a disappointing season and currently languish in 12th place in the Premier League.