Red Devils hold on to give boss crucial win

R UBEN AMORIM'S Manchester United ended an eventful encounter with a much-needed 2-1 victory over Chelsea as goalkeeper Robert Sanchez's early red card proved more costly than goalscorer Casemiro's sending-off.

- By SIMON PEACH

Pressure has been mounting on the Red Devils boss after the club's worst topflight season in 51 years was compounded by a sluggish start to the new campaign.

Amorim got the response he needed to United's meek Manchester derby defeat, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro scoring in a chaotic first half book-ended by red cards before the hosts saw off a late Chelsea charge.

The relief was palpable at the end of a match that started with the visitors shooting themselves in the foot.

Sanchez had denied an early Bryan Mbeumo effort but his next attempt to stop the summer signing led to an early bath.

Benjamin Sesko's brilliant flick-on put Mbeumo in behind Chelsea's back-line, with the keeper rashly bringing down the forward with a high tackle as last man. Referee Peter Bankes had no choice but to brandish a red card.