Time is running out for the Red Devils to secure Champions League football for next season with tonight’s clash against the Blues a must-win fixture.
Ralf Rangnick’s United have lost three of their last four in the Premier League and sit six points behind Arsenal having played a game more ahead of this Thursday night match-up.
In third, Chelsea enjoy a big advantage over the chasing pack and will go ten points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham with five games to go, if they can secure a victory in Manchester.
Christian Pulisic delivered the latest of wins for the capital club last time out as they downed West Ham, their first win at home in over a month.
Chelsea have found matters easier going on the road however and have not lost to United in their last four meetings.
With kick-off at 7.45pm BST, follow Standard Sport’s live blog for all the latest updates including expert analysis from James Robson at the ground…
Live updates
79 mins: POST!
United lose the ball by their box and Mount tees up James, for a left-footed whack which clips the far post…
78 mins: Ronaldo is offside as he pelts a shot at Mendy, which is well saved. Rangnick turns to his bench with Jones and Mata on for Matic and Rashford.
James Robson at Old Trafford
Tuchel is giving Lukaku specific instructions on the touchline. Let’s see if it works.
The Belgian was booed by United fans when he came on. He’d love to silence them with a winner.
75 mins: A break in play after Fernandes fell on Jorginho, creating a bit of an awkward twist for the Italian. The physios are on but he should be able to carry on.
73 mins: A lovely move down the left this time from Chelsea leads to Pulisic cutting a ball back from the byline, yet Lukaku had darted towards the goalline and Mount was too slow to get in the middle. Chance gone.
70 mins: Lukaku and Pulisic are summoned by Tuchel, ending a bad night for Havertz and a quiet one for Werner.
A few boos for the ex-United man…
James Robson at Old Trafford
This game has livened up. First Alonso shows Havertz how it’s done with a sweet finish. Then Ronaldo sends another reminder of his timeless class with an absolutely wonderful strike.
Chelsea will be wondering how this is level. But with Ronaldo on the pitch, anything is possible.
67 mins: A bit of a nervy moment for Matic after he put a foot on James having put the ball out for a corner. A bit of a kerfuffle between the pair as they tumble down the hill but VAR is happy to play on – it was hardly a stamp if anything at all.
65 mins: There has been no massive momentum surge for United since the goal as Chelsea settle back into their rhythm.
That was, however, Ronaldo’s first ever league goal against the Blues.
63 mins: What a couple of minutes..!
First, Chelsea utilise the right wing once again to cross for Alonso, completely free as he arrives into the box to slam home a volley.
Then the Blues are sloppy in their own half and Ronaldo is played in, before firing past Mendy. As you were!
Contents