Manchester United took an important three points against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which sees them go 10 points clear of the Blues.
Manchester United have solidified their place in the top four after a great win away from home in the Premier League against Liam Rosenior's Chelsea side.
Chelsea started the better side, but United kept them at bay, with brilliant performances from Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui, who started as the centre-back pair.
Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro were unavailable through injury, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez were suspended for the game. Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo returned to the starting lineup, as did Bryan Mbeumo, with Amad dropping to the bench.
Matheus Cunha gave United their 1-0 advantage with a great finish after a Bruno Fernandes cutback. The Brazilian had missed a similar chance earlier in the game from an Mbeumo cross, so he ensured to make a mess of the second and finished first time, with power.
Bruno Fernandes will be happy to add another assist to his record. The captain now has 18 assists in the Premier League this season, leaving him just two behind the record in the competition, with five games left.
Fernandes praises team performance
Fernandes, as always, was crucial to United's performance. Along with Kobbie Mainoo, he pulled the strings in midfield and looked the closest to scoring once Cunha had given United the lead.
After the game, Fernandes once again showed why he is the leader Manchester United so desperately needs. "Obviously, it's an amazing feeling, but we had to bounce back, not just from Leeds, but from the last two games we didn’t win. Making distance from the top five is important for us," he said after the game.
Michael Carrick joined Fernandes in mentioning the importance of taking all three points; he said: "I can't play that game down. That was massive. That was big for us." For such a composed character, there are huge words.
United's win was a team performance from back to front. "Big win. Keeping a clean sheet is huge. Nous [Mazraoui] and Ayden [Heaven] were incredible. The boys were fantastic tonight," said Carrick.
Fernandes joined his head coach in praising the defence: "Nous [Mazraoui] was excellent. Ayden [Heaven] was very SOLID. The back four was formidable as well as Senne [Lammens]."
Has Carrick earned a chance to stay?
Since he came in, many fans have called for Michael Carrick to be handed the permanent position at Old Trafford, but he has continually downplayed rumours. Until tonight.
While attempting to keep his composure, Carrick said: "I love being here." From the outside looking in, it seems he is almost desperate to stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of the season.
Qualifying for the Champions League will be key if Carrick wants to keep his head coach role, and United now sit 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixth place. Fifth place is also confirmed to be in the Champions League.
It would take a disaster to drop out of those places now. So, is the job Carrick's?