Scott McTominay scored twice as Manchester United defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the Old Trafford in a dominating fashion to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointing loss to Newcastle United. 

United’s week coming into the game had been marred by several outfield controversies especially with reports by some outlets claiming Erik ten Hag lost 50 per cent of players in the dressing over his coaching style and treatment of exiled Jadon Sancho.

But it seemed like the players were fixed on downplaying those controversies as they put out their best attacking performance in the league this season. In the starting line up, Ten Hag preferred the front trio of Rasmus Højlund, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.

Rashford was dropped to the bench after a series of poor performances by the England international this season. He has been accused of not pressing back whenever United are defending which was evident in the game against Newcastle.

Sofyan Amrabat and McTominay stood in the heart of the midfield with the Moroccan international dropping arguably his best performance since he joined the Red Devils on loan from Fiorentina.

An early penalty missed by Bruno Fernandes saw United fail to grab the lead in the ninth minute following an impressive start to the game. However, 10 minutes later, the Reds Devils finally got a deserved goal courtesy of McTominay’s shot past goalkeeper Roberto Sanchez.

They had multiple chances to double the lead following McTominay’s goal but failed to convert those chances including a double effort by McTominay inside the 18-yard area that was saved by Sanchez.

Meanwhile, Chelsea equalised just before the half time break courtesy Cole Palmer, who laid a slow but well calculated shot past Andre Onan, who struggled to reach the ball as it made its way into the net.

In the early minutes of the second half, it seemed that Chelsea had finally managed to grow into the game as they launched multiple early attacking threats on the United’s half. But the Red Devils would go on to find their way back to continue their first half dominance.

The United kept on searching for another goal to restore their lead and they eventually got it in the 69th minute through McTominay, who came out from behind to head Garnacho’s cross home to seal the impressive win for the Red Devils.

At the end of more than 90 minutes of action, Chelsea had faced 28 total shots from United which nine of them were on target against 13 of Chelsea with only three on target, an evidence of the Red Devils dominance throughout the game.

The win moved Ten Hag’s side to sixth on the league table with 27 points, the same as that of fifth Tottenham, who are only ahead of Manchester United due to superior goal difference while Chelsea remain 10th with 19 points.

In other games, Manchester City have yet to win any of their last four league matches and currently sit fourth on the table after the champions were pipped 1-0 by Aston Villa thanks to Leon Bailey 74th minute goal.

Pep Guardiola definitely missed Rodri, whom the team has always struggled to get the right results when he is absent — the Spaniard midfielder was suspended for the game against Villa after picking up a fifth yellow this season.

With three draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham and the defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s side’s poor run of results continues as City push to defend the title they won last season.

Surprisingly, Aston Villa are now third on the table with 32 points, with only two points adrift of Liverpool, who won their game on Wednesday 2-0 away at Sheffield United, and two points above fourth-placed Manchester City.