Michael Carrick hails 'big performance' from Manchester United as Red Devils defeat Chelsea

Lewis Henderson
Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:05:16 +0000

Michael Carrick has hailed a "big performance" from his Manchester United side as the Red Devils beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

In a huge boost for United's Champions League bid, Matheus Cunha's goal in the first half separated the two teams, putting Carrick's men 10 points clear of dropping out of the top five.

The Blues, who now have the worst run of form in their last four games compared to anybody else in the league, are nervously looking over their shoulders with Brentford and Bournemouth now level on points with them.

For United, Champions League qualification is nearly locked up with the crucial victory in west London.

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Reacting to his team's victory, Carrick said: "They're the moments we live for really, that's why we're in it.

"For big games, important games, big performances. And then for the supporters to feel it, it gives me a lot of satisfaction when I can be part of that and see all the people enjoying it so much. That's the beauty of football and the pure form of it."

Despite missing Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Leny Yoro, the Red Devils set up with Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui in central defence, keeping a clean sheet against Liam Rosenior's side.

Praising his team's performance, Carrick continued: "It was an important win for us tonight in different ways, coming through the suspensions and the injuries, Leny pulling out quite late and having to adapt.

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"The boys take so much credit for that. And the coaches in terms of putting the plan together and adapting over the last couple of days.

"There's a lot of things to be proud of tonight. We can play a little bit better at times, but I thought it was a game for a result, and we managed to find it."

Chelsea, who have not scored in their last four defeats in a row in the league, now loom from dropping out of the European places altogether.

Despite results going their way yesterday with Brentford, Fulham and Brighton all drawing, the Blues could still fall as low as eighth if Everton and Sunderland win this afternoon.

Asked what failure to qualify for the Champions League would mean for his own future, Rosenior said: "The honest answer is I don't know."

Commenting on the performance, the Chelsea manager said: "Tonight was a really difficult result to take.

"They've had one shot on our goal when we're down to 10 men off an injury, and they score. Then we have wave after wave of attack, crosses in the box, moments that we don't take advantage of.

"We have to keep working. We have to turn this around."

To add to Chelsea's troubles, young winger Estevao was taken off after 15 minutes with what appeared to be a serious injury.

The Blues boss provided an update, saying: "Estevao was devastated. He was crying at half-time. It looks like it's his hamstring."

Chelsea face Brighton mid-week before their huge FA Cup semi-final clash against Leeds United next weekend.

Winning the FA Cup could be Rosenior's alternative route into Europe should the Blues' league campaign continue to head south.