Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham have all started with wins, so both Chelsea and Man United will be eager to follow suit today.
It’s a match with two relatively inexperienced coaches at this level — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard have yet to really prove themselves as top-level managers, but a win for either today would certainly do no harm to their reputations.
It’s a tough one to call. Chelsea finished three places above United last year, though lost their best player in Eden Hazard during the summer.
The Red Devils have home advantage and made a couple of big-name signings during the transfer window, and so will be determined to start with a win as they aim to improve on last year’s disappointing campaign.
A plane flies over the ground with a banner reading #Glazersout. Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
11 Aug 2019
4:44PM
Azpilicueta receives the ball in plenty of space down the right.
The full-back plays a dangerous low cross, but Abraham isn’t quite quick enough to latch on to it.
11 Aug 2019
4:46PM
Apart from that one careless moment from Zouma, a really confident, assured start from Chelsea at Old Trafford. Their two in central midfield are looking better than Manchester United's three.
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford (centre) celebrates. Nick Potts
Nick Potts
11 Aug 2019
4:58PM
United have grown into this game.
They look much stronger and confident since the goal.
11 Aug 2019
4:58PM
4 - Marcus Rashford has now scored all four of the penalties he has taken in competitive senior matches for club and country (including shootouts). Composed. #MUNCHEpic.twitter.com/y9B4qHBEbZ
Chelsea have enjoyed plenty of possession, but United have been quite good off the ball in terms of pressing.
The Blues consequently haven’t been able to create much.
As I type, Martial curls a shot from the edge of the area a few yards over.
11 Aug 2019
5:06PM
McTominay makes a hash of trying to intercept Barkley’s pass.
Mount then gets the ball in a promising position on the right-hand side of the box, but he seems to completely mis-hit an attempted cross, and kills the attack in the process.
11 Aug 2019
5:08PM
Decent attempt from Barkley.
His shot from about 30 yards out goes narrowly wide.
11 Aug 2019
5:10PM
Zouma gets booked for clattering into Pereira.
It hasn’t been the best of starts for the defender, who also gave away the penalty.
11 Aug 2019
5:13PM
Rashford gives the ball away cheaply.
Chelsea break and Barkley gets the ball inside the area, with his shot saved via the legs of De Gea.
Moments later, a cross falls to Emerson at the far post, and he smashes the ball against the post.
Chelsea have looked vulnerable defending United’s counter-attack today, and they’ve been exposed twice in quick concession.
Initially, after Harry Maguire wins the ball on the edge of the United box, Pereira ultimately picks out Martial with a cross, and the French attacker produces a lovely first-time finish on the volley.
Then, 17 seconds after the re-start, United score again.
Pogba picks out Rashford with a glorious long pass, and the England international, who finds himself through on goal, finishes clinically.
It was poor play from Azpilicueta, who completely fell asleep and failed to track the striker’s run.
11 Aug 2019
6:02PM
United make a change.
Pereira, who produced an impressive assist for the second goal, is off.
Coming on is the £18 million summer signing from Swansea, Daniel James.
11 Aug 2019
6:04PM
The sharper pressing, greater intensity and quicker breaks that Solskjaer been drilling into #mufc players pre-season paying off impressively v #cfc. Now 3-0 65min. Rashford pen, then lightning striking twice, Martial and Rashford. #MUNCHE
Chelsea just can’t deal with United’s counter-attack.
Pogba does really well, charging forward, and playing a one-two with Martial before playing through James.
The new signing’s shot finds the net, deflecting in off Emerson.
It’s the perfect start to the season for the Red Devils.
11 Aug 2019
6:15PM
De Gea gets down well to save Mount’s powerful low shot.
United have looked solid in every department today.
With the result safe, the hosts make a double change, as Mata and Greenwood come on in place of Rashford and Lingard.
11 Aug 2019
6:18PM
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
Chelsea are just waiting for the final whistle now.
11 Aug 2019
6:20PM
What an uncomfortable start to Prem Lge management for Lampard - Chelsea brutally brutally exposed on counterattack at United. And next up Liverpool in UEFA Super Cup. But does get newcomers Norwich and Sheffield United before the intl break - and has luxury of being club legend
4-0 - As well as being the joint-heaviest managerial defeat of his career so far, Frank Lampard has suffered the heaviest defeat by a Chelsea manager in their first game in charge since Danny Blanchflower lost 7-2 at Middlesbrough in December 1978. Crying. #MUNCHEpic.twitter.com/QbBlZBFMSh
Manchester United's Daniel James celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal of the game. Martin Rickett
Martin Rickett
11 Aug 2019
6:35PM
So after Chelsea started brightly, United took control and ultimately were worthy winners.
The Blues passed the ball about nicely and had one or two decent chances in the first half, but were ultimately ruthlessly exposed by an impressively clinical United counter-attack.
The Red Devils’ defence was another positive for Solskjaer, with man-of-the-match Maguire and Wan-Bissaka impressing on their debuts.
Lampard put out an experimental starting XI that included a couple of inexperienced youngsters, with the likes of Giroud, Kante and Pulisic on the bench, and that decision ultimately failed to pay dividends.
11 Aug 2019
6:37PM
Right, that’s all from me. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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As it happened: Man United v Chelsea, Premier League
Liverpool, Man City and Tottenham have all started with wins, so both Chelsea and Man United will be eager to follow suit today.
It’s a match with two relatively inexperienced coaches at this level — Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard have yet to really prove themselves as top-level managers, but a win for either today would certainly do no harm to their reputations.
It’s a tough one to call. Chelsea finished three places above United last year, though lost their best player in Eden Hazard during the summer.
The Red Devils have home advantage and made a couple of big-name signings during the transfer window, and so will be determined to start with a win as they aim to improve on last year’s disappointing campaign.
Confirmation of today’s teams…
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
We’re under way…
Good start for Wan-Bissaka.
He wins the ball off Emerson and calmly plays the ball out of danger.
Alex Ferguson is here today.
Chelsea go very close!
The ball breaks kindly for Abraham on the edge of the area, and the striker’s powerful shot comes back off the post.
Chance for United!
Zouma plays a careless ball across the 18-yard box.
It falls to Martial, but his first-time shot is tame enough, and Kepa saves with relative ease.
Azpilicueta receives the ball in plenty of space down the right.
The full-back plays a dangerous low cross, but Abraham isn’t quite quick enough to latch on to it.
Penalty to United!
Zouma clumsily took down Rashford.
MAN UNITED 1-0 CHELSEA (RASHFORD 18)
Rashford confidently sticks the penalty into the top left-hand corner.
United lead, slightly against the run of play.
United have grown into this game.
They look much stronger and confident since the goal.
Chelsea have enjoyed plenty of possession, but United have been quite good off the ball in terms of pressing.
The Blues consequently haven’t been able to create much.
As I type, Martial curls a shot from the edge of the area a few yards over.
McTominay makes a hash of trying to intercept Barkley’s pass.
Mount then gets the ball in a promising position on the right-hand side of the box, but he seems to completely mis-hit an attempted cross, and kills the attack in the process.
Decent attempt from Barkley.
His shot from about 30 yards out goes narrowly wide.
Zouma gets booked for clattering into Pereira.
It hasn’t been the best of starts for the defender, who also gave away the penalty.
Rashford gives the ball away cheaply.
Chelsea break and Barkley gets the ball inside the area, with his shot saved via the legs of De Gea.
Moments later, a cross falls to Emerson at the far post, and he smashes the ball against the post.
Following a fairly frantic opening half hour, the game has calmed down a little bit.
It’s been a bit scrappy, with both sides conceding possession needlessly at times.
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 1-0 CHELSEA
The second half has begun…
A look at Rashford’s opening goal from the spot…
Barkley plays it to Pedro, whose left-footed shot from the edge of the area is deflected wide.
It’s been a positive start to the second half by Chelsea.
Azpilicueta’s cross falls to Emerson at the far post.
De Gea needs to parry away the full-back’s driven shot.
Chelsea make a change, and it’s a Premier League debut for Pulisic.
The US international replaces Barkley.
MAN UNITED 2-0 CHELSEA (MARTIAL 65)
MAN UNITED 3-0 CHELSEA (RASHFORD 67)
Chelsea have looked vulnerable defending United’s counter-attack today, and they’ve been exposed twice in quick concession.
Initially, after Harry Maguire wins the ball on the edge of the United box, Pereira ultimately picks out Martial with a cross, and the French attacker produces a lovely first-time finish on the volley.
Then, 17 seconds after the re-start, United score again.
Pogba picks out Rashford with a glorious long pass, and the England international, who finds himself through on goal, finishes clinically.
It was poor play from Azpilicueta, who completely fell asleep and failed to track the striker’s run.
United make a change.
Pereira, who produced an impressive assist for the second goal, is off.
Coming on is the £18 million summer signing from Swansea, Daniel James.
Rashford charges forward in search of a hat-trick, but Kante does well to get back and make an interception.
Chelsea must be careful this doesn’t become embarrassing.
MAN UNITED 4-0 CHELSEA (JAMES 81)
Chelsea just can’t deal with United’s counter-attack.
Pogba does really well, charging forward, and playing a one-two with Martial before playing through James.
The new signing’s shot finds the net, deflecting in off Emerson.
It’s the perfect start to the season for the Red Devils.
De Gea gets down well to save Mount’s powerful low shot.
United have looked solid in every department today.
With the result safe, the hosts make a double change, as Mata and Greenwood come on in place of Rashford and Lingard.
There will be four minutes of stoppage time.
Chelsea are just waiting for the final whistle now.
Emerson has yet another attempt on goal, but De Gea parries his powerful strike over the bar for a corner.
FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 4-0 CHELSEA
So after Chelsea started brightly, United took control and ultimately were worthy winners.
The Blues passed the ball about nicely and had one or two decent chances in the first half, but were ultimately ruthlessly exposed by an impressively clinical United counter-attack.
The Red Devils’ defence was another positive for Solskjaer, with man-of-the-match Maguire and Wan-Bissaka impressing on their debuts.
Lampard put out an experimental starting XI that included a couple of inexperienced youngsters, with the likes of Giroud, Kante and Pulisic on the bench, and that decision ultimately failed to pay dividends.
Right, that’s all from me. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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