The rain came down hard in Manchester, but for Ruben Amorim and his side, the storm ended with a much-needed victory.
United edged Chelsea 2-1 in a chaotic match that saw early goals, red cards for both teams, and plenty of drama to keep fans on their toes.
For Amorim, under pressure after a tough run of results, this win was more than just three points — it felt like a lifeline.
Physical Edge Makes the Difference
After a humbling defeat to Manchester City, Amorim knew something had to change. His answer? More muscle in the lineup.
By pairing Harry Maguire with Matthijs de Ligt and placing Casemiro just ahead of them, United had the kind of physical presence that rattled Chelsea almost immediately.
From Luke Shaw squaring up to Enzo Fernández to Maguire bullying Joao Pedro, United showed a side of themselves rarely seen at Old Trafford under Amorim — the aggressors, not the bullied.
Even with Casemiro’s dismissal on the stroke of half-time, the defensive backbone held firm.
On this night, grit outweighed flair.
Amad’s Struggles Continue
While the win was sweet, not every United player shone. Amad Diallo’s dip in form has become harder to ignore.
Once known for his confidence and creativity, the winger seemed hesitant, overthinking crucial moments.
One glaring example came when a golden chance to feed Benjamin Sesko in the box was wasted after Amad hesitated and ran the ball out of play.
If Amorim wants to keep starting him, finding a way to reignite Amad’s spark has to become a priority.
Right now, the Ivorian looks a shadow of the player who lit up last season.
Mbeumo Proves His Worth
One bright spot was Bryan Mbeumo, who delivered the kind of performance that justified Amorim’s push to sign Premier League-proven players.
The Cameroon international’s fearless runs down the right caused Chelsea endless problems.
His blistering pace and sharp awareness directly led to Robert Sánchez’s red card when he was brought down while charging through on goal.
Unlike his predecessors in that position, Mbeumo isn’t weighed down by the United shirt — he thrives in it.
If he stays fit, he could be the difference-maker Amorim has been searching for.
Sesko Deserves More Credit
Benjamin Sesko didn’t score, but his contribution was huge.
His clever flick set Mbeumo free before the Chelsea keeper’s dismissal, and his hold-up play repeatedly brought teammates into dangerous positions.
Being subbed at half-time might suggest a poor performance, but it was purely tactical after Casemiro’s red card forced Amorim into a reshuffle.
Labeling Sesko as “Højlund 2.0” misses the point — the Slovenian striker is already showing the intelligence and discipline to become a serious threat. The goals will follow.
Amorim’s Tactical Choices Raise Questions
As much as United fans celebrated the win, Amorim’s in-game decisions left many scratching their heads.
His habit of shuffling the backline mid-match once again caused issues.
Taking off Maguire — arguably United’s best player on the night — for youngster Leny Yoro led directly to a defensive miscue that gave Chelsea hope.
Equally baffling was leaving creative players like Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench while prioritizing defensive reinforcements.
The result was an unnecessary invitation for Chelsea pressure late in the game.
For Amorim to build momentum, he may need to rethink this defensive-first obsession.
What It Means for United
United got the win they desperately needed, but the match also highlighted areas that still need addressing — Amad’s form, Amorim’s substitutions, and the balance between attack and defense.
Still, in a night of heavy rain and high tension, United proved they can fight, scrap, and hold their ground. For now, that’s exactly what Amorim needed.