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Chelsea entered Saturday night’s Premier League clash against Manchester United knowing a win was crucial — but once again, they fell short. The Blues slumped to another defeat, failing to score for the fourth consecutive match, marking their worst goalless run since November 1912. Liam Rosenior’s troubled side now sit sixth in the Premier League table, trailing fifth-placed Liverpool by four points, with the Reds still having a game in hand.

With only five games remaining, Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are fading fast — a scenario that could have serious repercussions for the club’s finances and ambitions. Manchester United, meanwhile, took a major step toward sealing a return to Europe’s top competition, thanks to Matheus Cunha’s decisive goal at Stamford Bridge, which opened up a 10-point gap between the two clubs.

Despite not being at their fluent best and riding their luck at times, United’s ability to keep a clean sheet without a single senior centre-back — due to injuries and suspensions — significantly boosted Michael Carrick’s prospects of securing the managerial role on a permanent basis.

Here’s a look at all the major winners and losers from a pivotal night in west London...

WINNER: Bruno Fernandes’ Player of the Year campaign

Some argue that the Player of the Season should always be from the title-winning team — but that logic doesn’t always hold up. Football may be a team sport, yet this particular accolade recognises individual brilliance, and the best player isn’t necessarily in the best side.

This season perfectly illustrates that point. Declan Rice has been excellent for an Arsenal side chasing the title, while Erling Haaland continues to lead the league in goal involvements and could once again lift the Premier League trophy with Manchester City.

However, Bruno Fernandes has been irreplaceable for Manchester United. While he might not be universally loved, no player in the league is as crucial to his team’s success as the Portuguese playmaker.

He underlined his influence once more at Stamford Bridge, setting up Matheus Cunha for the only goal of the game with a superb piece of play down the right flank — taking his assist tally for the season to 18, just two shy of the all-time Premier League record.

We’re witnessing a record-breaking campaign in progress — and it deserves recognition.

LOSER: Alejandro Garnacho

The match-winning goal had a poetic twist for United fans, as Bruno Fernandes easily bypassed a weak challenge from Alejandro Garnacho in the build-up. Even though Garnacho came through United’s youth setup after joining from Atletico Madrid, the travelling supporters made their feelings clear towards their former player.

Boos rang out from the away section even before Garnacho replaced the injured Estevao in the 15th minute — a reception that likely fired up the Argentine to make a statement against his old club.

Yet, he failed to impress once again. The 21-year-old delivered another underwhelming display, struggling even against Diogo Dalot, who comfortably contained him throughout.

While some United fans initially questioned whether selling Garnacho last summer for £40 million ($55m) was a mistake, that deal now looks like excellent business. Chelsea are learning the hard way that the winger is not nearly as impactful as he believes himself to be.

WINNER: Michael Carrick’s managerial prospects

Interim managers often enjoy a brief honeymoon period, and Manchester United have experienced that before. Yet, even with questions about whether Michael Carrick is the right long-term choice for one of football’s toughest jobs, his audition could hardly be going better.

Since taking charge on January 13, Carrick has collected more points than any other Premier League manager. United are now within touching distance of Champions League qualification — a remarkable turnaround for a team that looked lost under Ruben Amorim earlier this season.

Carrick has restored structure, belief, and unity in the dressing room. After the setback of losing to Leeds United at Old Trafford earlier in the week, the team’s response at Stamford Bridge was exceptional.

He faced enormous defensive challenges, with Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire suspended, Matthijs de Ligt sidelined long-term, and Lenny Yoro also injured. Despite missing his entire first-choice defence, Carrick masterminded a crucial win and United’s first clean sheet in five matches, with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven partnering full-back Noussair Mazraoui at centre-back.

“There was a lot of work in the last day or so preparing the team with a new back four,” Carrick told TNT Sports. “I thought Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui were incredible — Ayden being so young and Noussair adapting to a position he doesn’t usually play. The coaching staff deserve huge credit for getting them ready.”

Carrick himself merits praise too. Turning around a team mid-season is never easy, even with the usual new-manager boost.

LOSER: Liam Rosenior

Liam Rosenior’s spell at Chelsea has been the polar opposite of Carrick’s tenure at United. Taking over a big club in January, Rosenior has presided over a steep decline — with just one victory in eight Premier League games.

Although many point to deeper issues at Chelsea, reflected by the fan protests against the ownership before the match, Rosenior’s appointment has only amplified frustrations. Supporters remain baffled by the decision to sack Enzo Maresca — who had delivered two trophies — and replace him with an untested manager lacking top-level experience.

Rosenior came through the club’s internal system as a cost-effective, company-minded choice focused on first-team matters. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that he’s out of his depth.

While the players haven’t openly rebelled, several have publicly expressed regret over Maresca’s departure, which speaks volumes. Rosenior’s corporate buzzwords and motivational talk may sound impressive, but results are what truly matter — and failure to secure Champions League qualification could cost him his job.

WINNER: Chelsea’s top-five rivals

United’s 1-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge didn’t just strengthen their Champions League bid; it also delighted their rivals for European places. The result was warmly welcomed by fans of Aston Villa and Liverpool, even if some might not admit it.

Villa currently sit fourth and can draw level on points with United by defeating Sunderland at home on Sunday. However, that’s no guarantee, as the Black Cats are tricky opponents — particularly for a side that played Europa League football just three days earlier. Chelsea’s defeat takes some pressure off Villa, who remain seven points ahead of the Blues.

For Liverpool, the result was an even bigger boost. The Reds have endured a rough patch, compounded by Hugo Ekitike’s season-ending Achilles injury suffered in the Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

Next up for Liverpool is a high-stakes Merseyside derby against city rivals Everton — a crucial test for Arne Slot’s side. Victory would not only restore confidence but also open up a seven-point cushion over Chelsea in the race for fifth place.

LOSER: The BlueCo Project

If Chelsea miss out on Champions League qualification — or even European football altogether — it could trigger an exodus of key players. With Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Everton, and Sunderland all within two points, the pressure is intensifying.

Former Chelsea star Joe Cole admitted on TNT Sports that he believes some players will already be contacting their agents to “get me out of here.”

On a positive note, Cole Palmer stated before the match that he has no plans to leave London and believes Chelsea aren’t far from competing for major honours again. However, results suggest otherwise. With only 48 points from 33 league matches and an 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, the club’s trajectory looks troubling.

Palmer believes the right signings could turn things around, but those reinforcements will be hard to attract if Chelsea fail to finish in the top five. Moreover, holding onto their few truly elite players — including Enzo Fernandez — will become increasingly difficult under such circumstances.

Reports suggest Chelsea plan to adjust their recruitment strategy this summer, but it may already be too late. The next time Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge, Cole Palmer might even be wearing the red shirt instead of blue.