By Martin Samuel for the Daily Mail
Published: 21:24 GMT, 18 February 2019 | Updated: 21:25 GMT, 18 February 2019
View
comments
Advertisement
The scoreline told the story: these are two clubs going in very different directions now.
Whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ends up a permanent fixture at Manchester United, he has done what he was employed to do in December. He has turned this ship around, United are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, the top four in the Premier League and on course to be in the Champions League next season.
They will do this, it seems, at the expense of Chelsea – a club that has lost its way under Maurizio Sarri, and that United deservedly dumped out of the FA Cup last night, just as they have evicted them from the Champions League places.
Pogba is congratulated by his team-mate Marcus Rashford after making it 2-0 to United
Ander Herrera celebrates after opening the scoring for Manchester United against Chelsea in the FA Cup
Herrera headed the ball into the back of the net after latching onto Paul Pogba's excellent cross
The United players are jubilant after Herrera's goal put them in the ascendancy at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea's defeat to United will further increase the pressure on Blues manager Maurizio Sarri
Pogba celebrates after scoring just before half time to double United's lead against Chelsea
Pogba scored with a spectacular header in the 45th minute after impressive work from Marcus Rashford
Chelsea will contend the Carabao Cup final with Manchester City on Sunday, but fans will travel in hope more than expectation, and not even much of that with City winning their most recent meeting 6-0. It was never going to be that against the red half of Manchester, but United were comfortable, two goals clear at half-time and contained Chelsea beyond that.
Victor Lindelof got a vital block in on a rare Eden Hazard shot and it may be argued that United’s Nemanja Matic was lucky not to receive a second yellow for some ferocious