Marc Cucurella’s invaluable header proved the difference as Chelsea emerged with an imperative win over struggling Manchester United to keep their Champions League destiny in their own hands.
Man United thought they had the lead when Harry Maguire volleyed home from a delightful Bruno Fernandes cross in the first half, only to be ruled a shoulder offside by VAR.
Chelsea continued to be frustrated despite growing into the game, with Reece James coming closest in the first half with a stunning effort that struck the post.
But it was James who inspired the eventual winner, pirouetting on the edge of the box before picking out Cucurella who headed home, putting Chelsea on course to a victory that maintained their place in the top five.
They now need just one more win - on the final day - to ensure Champions League qualification for next term, with Aston Villa breathing down their neck after beating Tottenham earlier in the evening.
Relive all the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below:
Chelsea vs Man Utd LIVE
- Chelsea seal imperative win to keep Champions League destiny in own hands
- 71' GOAL! Cucurella heads home to give Chelsea liftoff [CHE 1-0 MNU]
- 63' NO PENALTY! Chelsea stripped of chance to lead as George takes a dive [CHE 0-0 MNU]
- 24' POST! James sees stunning half-volley hit the woodwork [CHE 0-0 MNU]
- 17' NO GOAL! Maguire deemed just offside as opener ruled out [CHE 0-0 MNU]
Chelsea FC 1 - 0 Manchester United FC
Baffling stat shows just how bad things are for Man United
23:40 , Will CastleThis is mind-blowing.
As per Opta, Ruben Amorim has won 24 points in 26 Premier League games, a points per game ratio of 0.92. This is lower than Paul Jewell's Premier League points per game (0.94), who managed 24 winless games at Derby when they finished on 11 points in 2007-08.
Amorim has previously said that this is one of the worst Manchester United teams ever. I’m not sure you need the words “Manchester United” in that statement.
Reece James raring to be 'back where the club belongs'
23:30 , Will Castle"I think that's where the club belongs, in the Champions League,” he told Sky Sports. “Competing in the best competitions.
"People like to write us off and call us inexperienced. We played against a very experienced United team today. We were there and we won the game. We got what we needed to do."
Ruben Amorim reflects on another loss
23:20 , Will Castle"I think we started great, well but in the final third we needed to be a bit more aggressive,” Amorim told BBC Sport.
“We were there, we faced the game in the right way. It was a bit of bad luck today. Sometimes we want to press and to score a goal but we lost a little bit of concentration.
"It was different but you never like when you lose the game. We were competitive, that was clear.
"We have to prepare for each competition, with five days, we can rest. We have five days to prepare [for the Europa League final], two days to fully recover and then two days to prepare.
"Of course, we are excited to be in the final. Since day one the pressure has been there but I live quite well with the pressure. When you have the final of any cup, we show up so we are prepared for that."
Marc Cucurella on 'creating something special'
23:10 , Will Castle“We are very happy, we deserved a moment like this,” he told BBC Sport. “We know that we needed to stay in the game and we gave all that we had and we have three points that I think we deserve.
"It is very important (to get Champions League football), step by step we are creating something special and now only two games left to achieve something special.
“The most important thing is it depends on us so we have to play the game on Sunday and then we are thinking about the [Conference League] final. Today is a moment to enjoy because we work all season for these moments so now we have ambitions to achieve these things."
Ruben Amorim confirms Man United avoid any injury scares ahead of Europa League final
23:05 , Will Castle"In the end I looked at all the players and I think they are ok,” Amorim told BBC Sport.
A rare positive for Man United.
Enzo Maresca offers post-match thoughts
23:00 , Will Castle"It was quite confident because I know how difficult it is to play against United,” he told Sky Sports.
"We expected a very tough game. They played very well. I was completely confident, overall, it was a game that we could have a good moment and score a goal.
"I used to watch five, six, seven games when we play against a team. I have never watched them [Man Utd] so aggressive - they were man to man, and it was very difficult.
"Off the ball I think we played a fantastic game. The team was very aggressive until the end, we tried to press higher, and I think we deserved to win the game.
"It is nice to work on some solutions and then you score.”
Chelsea hold their ‘billion-pound’ bottle to keep Champions League destiny in own hands
22:51 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgeChelsea’s destiny was slipping from their grasp. They sat in sixth, the time ticking away, the verdicts that, once again, they were blue billion-pound bottle jobs growing nearer.
Until the man who was one of the first of their £1.2bn spending spree, who, for a while, had looked one of the worst of them, intervened.
Marc Cucurella’s goal means Chelsea are one win away, even if that one game is away at Nottingham Forest, who harbour similar aspirations of a berth in the Champions League.
Richard Jolly reports from Stamford Bridge:
Chelsea hold ‘billion-pound’ bottle to keep Champions League destiny in own hands
'Mixture of joy and relief'
22:40 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgeA mixture of joy and relief at Stamford Bridge at the end. That was getting increasingly tense, until Cucurella intervened.
Marc Cucurella header keeps Chelsea's Champions League destiny in own hands
22:26 , Will Castle
FULL-TIME! Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:15 , Will CastleAN IMPERATIVE VICTORY FOR THE BLUES!
Marc Cucurella’s invaluable header proves the difference as Chelsea emerge victorious from what was, for much of the night, a frustrating outing for Enzo Maresca’s side.
They’ve maintained their place in the top five and need just one more win - on the final day - to ensure Champions League qualification.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:14 , Will Castle90+8 mins: Chelsea get the opportunity to finish it as Gusto - who has never scored for the Blues - runs in on goal.
And that’s why he’s never scored. He runs out of legs and falls over after a heavy touch.
Either way, that should be it.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:13 , Will Castle90+7 mins: Looping free-kick for United comes to nothing and Chelsea survive what could be one last nervy moment.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:12 , Will Castle90+5 mins: Chelsea opt to keep it in the corner rather than going for a second and Garnacho charges it down.
Another corner for the Blues.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:10 , Will Castle90+3 mins: Heaven makes a mess of it in his own box and goes flying into Gusto with two feet.
Studs are showing. He’s given a yellow but I think he’s a bit lucky not to be shown his marching orders.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:09 , Will Castle90+2 mins: Cole Palmer nearly robs Maguire after the centre-back receives a weak pass - he has to rush a clearance and hooks it out for a throw.
Another opportunity for Chelsea to run down the clock.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:07 , Will Castle90 mins: High challenge from Ugarte sees him get a yellow - the Chelsea players think it should be more.
There will still be SEVEN added minutes for Chelsea to play - as Neto comes off for Gusto.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:05 , Will Castle88 mins: Chris Kavanagh orders Chelsea to get on with things as Reece James takes an age to take a throw.
They’re trying to see this one out.
Cole Palmer has just taken a knock but is up and walking.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:03 , Will Castle86 mins: United are heading for an 18th Premier League loss this season. They’re about to go eight winless - their worst ever run in the league.
That’s assuming they don’t get a late equaliser here. And with a few minutes to go, Chelsea are in the corner.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
22:00 , Will Castle83 mins: Lovely turn by Madueke to try and get away from Mazraoui and Lindelof but he gets eased down by the Swede as the ball runs out for a goal-kick.
Not enough for a foul, deems the ref.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
21:57 , Will Castle81 mins: Romeo Lavia is entering fray as Tyrique George makes way. A defensive change, taking off a player who hasn’t had a huge amount of impact on this game.
Mainoo and Heaven are also on for United, with Fernandes and Shaw coming off.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
21:56 , Will Castle79 mins: SAVE! This is not over yet for Chelsea.
Diallo threatens once again down the right and cuts into the box before letting fly towards the near post - Sanchez has to react sharply and gets down well to save.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
21:54 , Will Castle77 mins: United try breaking up the other end but James just eases Garnacho off the ball and leaves the winger in a heap.
Chelsea had been frustrated for so long in this game. Now, it’s all going their way.
Chelsea 1-0 Man United
21:52 , Will Castle74 mins: CHANCE! It should be two for Chelsea!
Madueke runs in on goal but slices his shot as it loops over the bar.
That could’ve settled all the nerves.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Man United (Cucurella, 71')
21:47 , Will CastleA HUGE GOAL IN CHELSEA’S SEASON!
It’s all about Reece James, who pirouettes on the edge of the box before dinking a cross towards Cucurella in space.
The Spaniard nods it beyond Onana as Stamford Bridge ERUPTS! The importance of that goal could be seismic.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:47 , Will Castle70 mins: Mason Mount is booed as he comes off. He and Casemiro make way for Ugarte and Garnacho.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:46 , Will Castle69 mins: Amad Diallo goes down in the box, and unlike with Tyrique George, there’s no doubt in the mind of Chris Kavanagh over whether that was a dive.
Diallo is in the book. Zero contact.
'United putting in one of their better performances'
21:44 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgeIn one respect, United have a lot to play for, with places in the Europa League final at stake. But in the Premier League, they have nothing to play for. And thus, illogically, are putting in one of their better performances.
But then they actually have done well in some of the supposedly tougher tests this season. Look at their results away at Liverpool, City and Arsenal (in the FA Cup).
NO PENALTY! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:39 , Will Castle63 mins: George has taken a dive there, no doubt about it. He anticipated contact that never came.
The penalty is overturned.
PENALTY! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:38 , Will Castle61 mins: Andre Onana brings Tyrique George down and Chris Kavanagh points to the spot!
Onana is laughing - and replays show that George has BARELY been touched. On-field review incoming.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:36 , Will Castle59 mins: Madueke does well as he drives for the line and chips one towards the head of Neto, who can’t get an effort away.
Dorgu then goes down holding his head and play stops, to the frustration of Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:33 , Will Castle56 mins: Another opportunity for United as Fernandes bends an effort over Sanchez’s crossbar from the edge of the box.
Chelsea are the team who need something tonight, but right now, it’s the visitors who are on top.
'Tyrique George has been anonymous'
21:31 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgePoor Tyrique George has been so anonymous that he is yet to pass to a teammate. Maybe Maresca should switch and put Neto up front. Or maybe use Palmer as a false nine. Or just something else because Chelsea have 35 minutes to find a goal.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:29 , Will Castle53 mins: It’s finished in Birmingham as Aston Villa reign 2-0 victors over Spurs to leapfrog Chelsea into fourth.
Chelsea have it all to do now.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:29 , Will Castle52 mins: CHANCE! That was the moment for Mount on his Chelsea homecoming!
Amad does really well attacking his man down the right before prodding it into the path of Mount in the box, who side-foots his effort across the face of goal and wide.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:27 , Will Castle50 mins: Now this is bizarre. Rasmus Hojlund has just ran to the touchline to take something off his wrist - it looked to maybe be a jewellery oversight?
Hojlund then has to stay out of the picture as United defend a Chelsea free-kick.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:26 , Will Castle49 mins: James hits it... and strikes the head of Fernandes, the strayed man in the wall.
Slight delay as he gets checked out.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:24 , Will Castle47 mins: Chelsea try and break early through Cole Palmer who drives through the middle towards the box.
His shirt is nipped at about three times by Casemiro and the ref finally blows to award a free-kick in a shootable position, plus a yellow for the Brazilian.
BACK UNDERWAY! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:21 , Will CastleAnd we’re off again!
No changes for Chelsea. James has been assessed and is back out.
Here come the players...
21:21 , Will CastleMoments away from the second half getting underway.
The big question will be whether Reece James is able to continue after suffering a late injury in the first 45.
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:13 , Will Castle
HALF-TIME! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:06 , Will CastleAnd that’s the first half! A stalemate at Stamford Bridge so far.
Man United thought they had the lead when Harry Maguire volleyed home from a delightful Bruno Fernandes cross, only to be ruled a shoulder offside by VAR.
Chelsea got a stronger grip on the game as the half continued, with Reece James coming closest with a stunning effort that struck the post.
With Aston Villa 2-0 up in the other game of the evening, the Blues need a big second half here.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:05 , Will Castle45+4 mins: That’s a new one! Before the corner was taken, Hojlund was pulling the shirt of Colwill so much that he took his shirt off.
After about a minute of delaying, Neto plays it short to Palmer which leads to another corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:03 , Will Castle45+1 mins: FIVE minutes added on in the first half.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:03 , Will Castle45 mins: SAVE! Cole Palmer bends one towards the top corner and Onana claws it away, but only into the path of Enzo Fernandez - who from a few yards out, SKIES the rebound!
His head sharply snaps towards towards the linesman praying for the flag, which he gets. He was miles offside. If he wasn’t, that was miss of the season.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
21:01 , Will Castle44 mins: Play is back underway and James looks like he can continue.
Whether he stays on beyond half-time is yet to be seen.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:59 , Will Castle42 mins: Now this is a concern for Chelsea.
Reece James and Patrick Dorgu go down after James lands on Dorgu’s foot. It’s a sore one for Dorgu, but James looks like he’s rolled his ankle.
This would be so, so cruel given the nature of how it happened. Such tough luck with injuries.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:57 , Will Castle40 mins: Chelsea trying to succeed with a bit of patient build-up but they’re not getting through.
Caicedo then goes for a cute but ambitious dink through to Madueke that doesn’t come off and bounces through to Onana.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:53 , Will Castle36 mins: Chelsea might be improving, but they’re being frustrated by United. Neto did just have a half-chance as he drove into the box but his effort went straight into the gloves of Onana.
And things, as it happens, aren’t going Chelsea’s way at Villa Park either. Aston Villa now lead against Spurs, Ezri Konsa after an hour.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:49 , Will Castle33 mins: Chelsea are getting a real grip on this game now.
A lot of the Chelsea threat is coming through Madueke, who once again dances down the left and wins a corner off Casemiro.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:47 , Will Castle32 mins: Fernandes kicks through Caicedo and ends up in the book.
From the free-kick, Chelsea immediately give away possession.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:45 , Will Castle28 mins: Big appeals for a penalty as Enzo Fernandez volleys one onto the hand of Hojlund.
Given the close proximity and attempts to keep him arm as close to the body as possible, that won’t be overturned by VAR. No penalty.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:42 , Will Castle24 mins: OFF THE POST! That would have been SPECIAL from Reece James!
Madueke drives down the wing and cuts back a cross that goes all the way through to James on the edge of the box.
There, the right-back puts his laces through a beauty of a half-volley, travelling for the far corner, only for it to ricochet off the woodwork.
'Harry Maguire is one of the best finishers in this United squad'
20:38 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgeA disallowed goal but a fine volley to suggest that, after Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire is one of the best finishers in this United squad.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:38 , Will Castle20 mins: Chelsea are looking seriously shaky at the moment.
After VAR provided a reprieve, they have nearly gifted United a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, only for the run of the ball to go the hosts’ way.
NO GOAL! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:33 , Will Castle17 mins: It’s chalked off. Maguire is just offside.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Man United (Maguire, 16')
20:32 , Will CastleIt’s that man again!
United have dominated the ball so far, and they’ve been rewarded for it.
A superb cross into the box is prodded home by Maguire, who notches yet another strike!
But wait - there’s an offside check going on...
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:30 , Will Castle15 mins: Header falls short from Colwill allowing United to switch it and break. Dorgu receives it on the left and wins a corner.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:28 , Will Castle12 mins: George catches Maguire in the face and the referee stops play for a head injury. Another drop ball for the Blues.
Play restarts and James nearly makes a mess of passing out from the back, ricocheting the ball of a United shirt and having hold off the chase to clear.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:26 , Will Castle10 mins: Man United have enjoyed a decent amount of the ball so far but haven’t been able to do much with it.
Chelsea then try break away with George but his pass is accidentally blocked by referee Chris Kavanagh. Drop ball.
'Big responsibility for Tyrique George'
20:22 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgeSo it is actually Tyrique George leading the line, not Pedro Neto. A big responsibility for the teenager on his first Premier League start. Meanwhile, predictably, Mount has been booed.
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:21 , Will Castle5 mins: CHANCE! Massive chance for Chelsea to nab an early lead!
Fantastic pass through the gap from Palmer picks out an on-rushing Madueke in space in the box.
Madueke hits it first time but shins it over the bar from close range!
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:19 , Will Castle3 mins: Early glimpse for United as Fernandes whips in a delightful delivery towards a head in red, but the resulting effort loops into the hands of Sanchez.
KICK-OFF! Chelsea 0-0 Man United
20:16 , Will CastleAnd we’re underway!
Mason Mount gets on the ball early and gets the expected reaction from the Chelsea faithful - a chorus of boos.
Closing in on kick-off
20:12 , Will CastleJust a few minutes until we get underway at Stamford Bridge.
It’s must-win for Chelsea, while Man United’s main concern will be leaving London with all their players unscathed ahead of next week’s Europa League final.
Stay tuned for all the action, next up.
The objective is simple for Chelsea
20:08 , Will CastleFor the Blues, the task for the remainder of the season is simple. Two games left, two wins needed to ensure Champions League football next term.
"It is two games to go,” Maresca said. “We are in a position where we don't need to watch what they do, it is just on us."
Enzo Maresca confirms plan up top
20:02 , Will CastleEnzo Maresca has confirmed it will by Tyrique George leading the line for Chelsea.
"I see young talent,” he told Sky Sports. “He can give us lots of energy.
“He is good in these kind of games. We need to attack in-behind and we need threat - he can do that."
Ruben Amorim not concerned about risking injuries
19:50 , Will Castle"We have five days to prepare for the final,” he told Sky Sports. “We are focused on this game and sometimes the best way to prepare for a final is to compete."
"The biggest problems (with injuries) that we have this season is during training. So, we never know where the danger is."
The stage is set
19:40 , Will CastleIt’s a glorious evening in SW6 - perfect conditions ahead of a later-than-usual 8:15pm kick-off.
Just over half an hour until we underway.
Ruben Amorim delivers warning to Man United players ahead of Europa League final
19:30 , Will CastleRuben Amorim has told his Manchester United team they could play their way in or out of the side for the Europa League final when they face Chelsea tonight.
“Yes, that is clear,” Amorim said. “I know already the starting 11 I am thinking for Chelsea and then I will see. Even the way we play there against Chelsea, I will see it and it is going to important for the next one.”
Ruben Amorim delivers warning to Man United players ahead of Europa League final
The players have arrived
19:20 , Will Castle
'Man United field stronger side than expected'
19:10 , Richard Jolly at Stamford BridgeEnzo Maresca seems to have given Pedro Neto the job of standing in for suspended striker Nicolas Jackson and scoring the goals to take Chelsea into the Champions League. Romeo Lavia may be a surprise omission but it means Reece James returns to the team and Moises Caicedo to the midfield.
The Manchester United side may be stronger than expected and could offer some clues into their Europa League starting XI. Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo, all largely substitutes since their returns from injury, start, giving them a chance to earn places against Tottenham in Bilbao.
Mount, of course, is a Champions League winner with Chelsea and a reminder of better days at Stamford Bridge. But Chelsea are still 11 places above United in the table.
Line-ups CONFIRMED!
19:02 , Will CastleChelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, George; Neto.
Man United XI: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Mazroaui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Amad, Mount; Hojlund.
Your Chelsea side tonight! 📋#CFC | #CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/4EWeuxieKJ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 16, 2025
Presenting your Friday night Reds 👊🔴#MUFC || #CHEMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 16, 2025
A winless run
18:57 , Mike JonesManchester United are winless in their last seven Premier League games (two draws, five defeats) since winning 3-0 at Leicester in March.
They last had a longer run without a league victory between December 1989 and February 1990 (11).
Fortress Stamford Bridge
18:51 , Mike JonesChelsea are unbeaten in all nine of their Premier League home games so far in 2025 (seven wins, two draws).
The Blues have earned the joint-most points (23) and conceded the fewest goals (7) at home of any Premier League side this calendar year.
Enzo Maresca assessing Chelsea options to replace suspended Nicolas Jackson
18:45 , Mike JonesChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said he is assessing his attacking options with striker Nicolas Jackson’s suspension for Friday’s visit of Manchester United having once again shown up his lack of alternatives.
Jackson will not play again this season in the Premier League after being dismissed for elbowing Newcastle’s Sven Botman last Sunday, leaving the team without a recognised number nine for the remainder of the run-in.
Chelsea have spent well over £1billion during the last three seasons but the failure to bring in an established goalscorer continues to rankle among fans.
Enzo Maresca assessing Chelsea options to replace suspended Nicolas Jackson
Success on the road
18:39 , Mike JonesManchester United have won their final away league game in four of the last five seasons.
However, they’re winless in seven when their final match on the road is at a London side (three draws, four defeats).
Ending the season in style
18:33 , Mike JonesChelsea haven’t lost their final home league game in any of the last 22 seasons (15 wins, seven draws D7).
The last time they did was a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in 2001/02.
A draw on the cards?
18:27 , Mike JonesChelsea vs Manchester United is the most drawn fixture in Premier League history (27).
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford this season finished 1-1, with both meetings between the sides finishing level in seven previous campaigns.
Those were: 1998/99, 2000/01, 2006/07, 2015/16, 2018/19, 2020/21 and 2021/22.
Marcus Rashford won’t accept pay cut to leave Man United as transfer stance revealed
18:20 , Mike JonesMarcus Rashford is available for £40m from Manchester United this summer, but Aston Villa do not have first option on the forward.
Villa are open to making the move permanent after a successful loan spell since January, but there are no clauses to stop other clubs stealing in to strike a deal.
Any suitor would nevertheless need to match Rashford’s £315,000-a-week wages, as sources close to the player state he would not be willing to countenance a pay cut, and is only willing to go to a club in the Champions League.
Marcus Rashford won’t accept pay cut to leave Man United as transfer stance revealed
A rare Friday fixture
18:13 , Mike JonesThis is just the second ever Premier League meeting between Chelsea and Manchester United on a Friday.
The last time the teams faced each other on this day of a the week was a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge in August 2002.
No wins at Stamford Bridge in five years
18:07 , Mike JonesManchester United have won just one of their last 11 Premier League away games against Chelsea (five draws, five defeats).
That was a 2-0 victory in February 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Chelsea's record versus Man Utd
18:00 , Mike JonesChelsea have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games against Manchester United.
They’ve drawn eight and lost five in that run.
Their lone win was a 4-3 victory in this exact fixture last season.
Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘loses quarter of total wealth’
17:52 , Jamie BraidwoodSir Jim Ratcliffe’s wealth has fallen by £6.473bn - a quarter of his total fortune - according to this year’s Sunday Times Rich List.
The Manchester United co-owner and founder of Ineos has seen his wealth fall from £23.519bn 12 months ago to £17.046bn, according to the latest list.
The billionaire’s Ineos group bought a 27.7 per cent stake in United for £1.25bn in February last year and they have overseen a wave of cost-cutting measures in an attempt to improve the club’s dire finances.
Man United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘loses quarter of total wealth’
Man Utd early team news
17:45 , Mike JonesFor United, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Diogo Dalot remain out, while Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer will be assessed ahead of the match.
Leny Yoro is a doubt after picking up a knock against West Ham, though it’s unlikely he’ll be risked even if fit.
Ruben Amorim will likely make wholesale changes to the side that lost at the weekend, with several of United’s younger players expected to feature at Stamford Bridge.
Predicted Man Utd XI: Bayindir; Mazraoui, Lindelof, Fredricson; Dorgu, Casemiro, Amass; Fernandes, Eriksen; Obi.
Chelsea early team news
17:39 , Mike JonesFor the hosts, Nicolas Jackson will miss the rest of the season after being red carded against Newcastle, while Jadon Sancho is ineligible to face his parent club.
Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu will likely be unavailable due to injury, leaving Enzo Maresca a potential selection dilemma in his forward line, though the rest of the squad is fit for the run-in.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Fernandez, Madueke; Palmer.
How can I watch it?
17:27 , Mike JonesThe game will be televised live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 7pm. Subscribers can also watch online via Sky Go.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass to watch without a subscription.
When is Chelsea vs Manchester United?
17:21 , Mike JonesThe match is due to kick off at 8.15pm on Friday, 16 May at Stamford Bridge in London.
Chelsea vs Man Utd
17:15 , Mike JonesChelsea face Manchester United in the Premier League this evening, with the hosts looking to take a vital step closer to Champions League qualification.
Enzo Maresca’s side start the weekend occupying the final qualification place, though they are fifth on goal difference alone, level on 63 points with Aston Villa below them.
And with a final-day test away at fellow Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest still to come, it could be vital to grab three points this evening against a struggling United side.
Thankfully for home fans, Ruben Amorim will likely rest plenty of players ahead of the Europa League final next week, though Chelsea will be firm favourites whatever happens with the Red Devils having slipped to 16th in the league.
Good evening!
09:57 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Premier League action between Chelsea and Manchester United.
The Blues are hoping to keep up their challenge for the Champions League spots and need three points to remain ahead of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
Man Utd meanwhile are focusing on next week’s Europa League final and Ruben Amorim has a few injuries concerns to juggle tonight.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and more throughout the night so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8.15pm.
