As rivalries go, the friction with Chelsea is a fairly recent addition to Manchester United’s list, but that hasn’t made it any less compelling, as there have been a number of high profile and engrossing encounters between the two sides in the recent past.
So as we play the Blues tomorrow, sit back, relax and enjoy some classic moments of triumph over Chelsea.
Premier League, 11th January 2009 – Manchester United 3-0 Chelsea
Possibly the match that sealed the fate of Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari. United were dominant, something that couldn’t be said when we faced a Jose Mourinho led Chelsea team. United thought they had scored just before half time from an extremely well worked set piece but it wasn’t to be as Howard Webb ruled the goal out. That didn’t matter though, Nemanja Vidic headed in the following corner, Wayne Rooney added a second, before Dimitar Berbatov slammed home the third just before the end.
The F.A. Cup Final 1994 – Manchester United 4-0 Chelsea
The first F.A. Cup Final Chelsea had been in for 24 years and it was cruelly spoilt by a United side intent on securing their first ever domestic double. Though during the season, Chelsea had won both games 1-0. However, United brushed them aside thanks Eric Cantona’s penalty double, a placed Mark Hughes shot and finally Brian McClair’s tap-in. The win also enabled United to go level with Spurs on F.A. Cup wins.
Premier League, 6th November 2005 – Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea
The Blues were on a 40-match unbeaten run; earlier in the same week United had lost 4-1 to Middlesbrough and 1-0 to Lille in the Champions League, while Roy Keane went on the warpath on MUTV. Not ideal preparation for such a huge game, but from the ashes Darren Fletcher popped up with a looping header from a Ronaldo cross. Some say it was the game that changed Fletcher’s future at the club, but he even admits he didn’t entirely mean it.
Premier League, 23rd September 2007 – Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea
Chelsea were in turmoil following the departure of Jose Mourinho, and new boss Avram Grant was given a baptism of fire as first Carlos Tevez scored his first goal for United at Old Trafford…
His replacement Louis Saha tucked away a late penalty to give United the win.
The Champions League Final 2008 – Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (pens 6-5 United)
Saving the best for last. Undoubtedly an enthralling match with two teams so equal only a John Terry slip could separate them. United went ahead though Cristiano Ronaldo, only to be pegged back by Frank Lampard. The match went to penalties, and after a Ronaldo miss put Chelsea in the driver’s seat, Terry’s infamous slip restored hope for United. Ryan Giggs would convert what proved to be the winning penalty, and Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka’s kick to secure a third European title for United.
