Manchester United have effectively sealed their 2022/2023 Premier League season after confirming their UEFA Champions League players with a huge 4-1 win over Chelsea on Thursday evening.

The Red Devils needed a point to wave off any late chance by Liverpool to make the UEFA Champions League places. This was after Newcastle United confirmed their return to Europe’s elite Club competition in two decades with a draw against Brighton last weekend.

Erik Ten Hag’s side knew that even a point from their last two outstanding games, which included a home tie against Chelsea, would be enough to condemn Liverpool to the UEFA Europa League effectively, and with Chelsea, the opponents getting one point looked easily possible.

The Red Devils started brightly as they took the lead after just six minutes through Casemiro. Anthony Martial doubled the advantage just before half-time while a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the 73rd minute and a 78th-minute penalty from Rashford completed the riot.

Despite the feat, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes claimed that he and his teammates want to achieve more with the FA Cup.

“[Getting the Champions League] is decent; it’s not perfect because we want more. For what we did this season, it’s perfect. We got the trophy which was our goal after seeing we couldn’t get the Premier League. Now it’s about finishing the league well and going to FA Cup. It’s about winning the trophy. We have to take the trophy away from someone. We want to win the FA Cup. We know it’s really important here. We know if we win it, we stop the option for City getting the treble, but for us, it’s about getting another trophy.” Bruno Fernandes said.

There was a late consolation goal by Joe Felix for Chelsea. It was Claus over another shambolic performance for Frank Lampard’s tutored side.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu