Manchester United’s last visit to Stamford Bridge did anything but go to plan, and a late collapse against Chelsea forced one senior figure into an unfortunate display
The last time Manchester United played at Stamford Bridge, then-Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag was forced into a dismal retreat. And his successor, Ruben Amorim, will be praying his team can make amends as they look to record their first away win over Chelsea since February 2020.
It was a little more than 12 months ago that Ten Hag was all but set to record United’s first victory at Stamford Bridge in more than four years. Two Alejandro Garnacho goals either side of a Bruno Fernandes finish put the visitors 3-2 up when officials announced eight minutes of added time, which led to an incensed reaction from Ten Hag.
The Dutchman’s disappointment deepened when Cole Palmer netted twice in the 100th and 101st minutes to give the Blues a dramatic 4-3 win. United left west London with their tails between their legs, and Ten Hag made his displeasure clear by darting down the tunnel at full time without shaking then-Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino‘s hand.
Both clubs have seen significant change since then, with Amorim now at the United helm and Enzo Maresca in charge of Chelsea. Yet despite this transition, little has improved for United in the 14 months or so since that match.
In fact, the Manchester Evening News detailed how United’s domestic performance has deteriorated even further. Ten Hag guided the team to their worst-ever Premier League finish of eighth last term, but they currently sit 16th and are guaranteed to hit a new low this season.
United are due to clash against Tottenham in the Europa League final next Wednesday, providing an opportunity to redeem their historically poor campaign. Nevertheless, there’s a debate whether even victory in Bilbao can cast Amorim’s first half-year at the helm in a more positive light.
United’s recent 2-0 home defeat to West Ham was yet another indication things are far from rosy at Old Trafford. This season has seen the club suffer nine home defeats in the league; only four other teams have suffered more, three of whom have been relegated.
The Red Devils’ vulnerability was on show when they surrendered an early lead in a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Brentford earlier in May. Similar opportunities to secure wins against teams like Arsenal, Lyon, and Liverpool have slipped through their fingers in recent months, evidence of a worrying trend towards fragility in the team.
When asked how it feels to be languishing in 16th with just two games to go, Amorim said: “How a manager of Manchester United is supposed to feel in that position – embarrassed, and it’s hard to accept. I think everybody has to think seriously about a lot of things here.
“Everybody is thinking about the [Europa League] final. The final is not an issue in this moment in our club. We have bigger things to think and we have to change a lot of things in the end of the season.”
The former Sporting CP boss might not be anticipating any miracles at Stamford Bridge despite some impressive performances away from home this season. And Amorim would be hard-pressed to give a more disappointing response than his predecessor should things not go United’s way once more.
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