Estevao came close for Chelsea in the opening period, shaving the post with a whipped shot across goal. Enzo Fernandez also guided a good opportunity wide. Yet just before half time, we fell behind as Matheus Cunha powered United ahead.

In the second period, Liam Delap glanced a header against the crossbar, and Wesley Fofana struck the same spot of the woodwork soon after. But despite our pressure and a late drive wide from Moises Caicedo, we ended the game without anything to show for our efforts.

Probing United's defence

Rosenior made two changes to his starting XI. Fernandez replaced Andrey Santos in our midfield and Delap came into the frontline for Joao Pedro, who was absent due to a thigh injury.

The Blues started the brighter of the two sides. We probed the makeshift United backline, but they resisted in the opening ten minutes.

Our first genuine opportunity of the contest almost led to the first goal. After the ball was worked wide to Estevao by Cole Palmer, the Brazilian cut inside onto his stronger left foot and whipped a shot toward the far corner. It beat United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but grazed the outside of the post.

Another half-chance soon arrived, as a loose touch from Luke Shaw enabled Delap to find Estevao in space. He stumbled en route to goal and could only guide a shot into the arms of Lammens. Unfortunately, it proved the 18-year-old's last action as he was forced off with an injury, with Alejandro Garnacho his replacement.

The Blues maintained momentum and we again came inches away from breaking the deadlock. Fernandez collected a pass in the United penalty area, nutmegged Noussair Mazraoui, held off pressure from Casemiro and attempted to find the far corner. His shot drifted just wide.

Denied an opener

Our next chance ended with the ball in the net. Fernandez again looked to place a finish in the far corner, only for Lammens to save. Palmer reacted quickest to the rebound and squared for Delap to finish, but the assistant referee raised his flag and the goal was ruled out for offside.

United had offered little threat to Sanchez's goal for much of the opening period. A late free-kick was punched clear by Robert Sanchez, who collided with Fofana. Moments later, the defender required treatment, after which he had to leave the field. It was during that period that the visitors broke the deadlock.

The goal was fashioned by Bruno Fernandes, who held off pressure from Garnacho and flashed the ball into the Chelsea penalty box. Cunha arrived and connected perfectly to find the corner with just two minutes of the half remaining.

Searching for a leveller

Rosenior needed a response from his side, but the first chance of the second period went to United. Fernandes was given time on the edge of the box to measure a shot, yet his attempt drifted wide of the post.

The Blues managed to wrestle momentum our way as the half progressed, and we again came the width of the crossbar away from scoring.

Neto was the creator of the chance, as he clipped a cross into the box and Delap glanced a header toward goal, only to be denied.

Palmer was next to threaten, as he instinctively turned a low Gusto cross narrowly wide. We then struck the woodwork again after Fofana's header was deflected onto the crossbar.

Neto then saw a drive ricochet off a defender and behind. The pressure on the United goal was building.

Rosenior turned to his bench as the game entered the final ten minutes. Josh Acheampong replaced Malo Gusto and Trevoh Chalobah returned in place of Fofana.

Time was against the Blues, but still we pushed. Caicedo was next to come close as he whistled a shot from 20 yards agonisingly past the post.

It proved the closest we came to an equaliser in the final stages, as United held us off to take three points back to Manchester.

What comes next...

It's a quick turnaround for Rosenior and his players, as we travel to Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday evening for an 8pm kick-off.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto (Acheampong 81), Fofana (Chalobah 81), Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo (c), Fernandez (Lavia 88); Estevao (Garnacho 16), Palmer, Neto; Delap
Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Tosin, Andrey Santos, Essugo, Guiu
Booked: Hato 39

Manchester United: Lammens; Dalot, Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo (Zirkzee 87), Bruno Fernandes, Cunha (Mount 81), Sesko (Amad 81)
Manchester United substitutes: Bayindir, Malacia, Ugarte, T Fletcher, Lacey, Thwaites
Goalscorers: Cunha 43
Booked: Cunha 25, Mainoo 90+4

Attendance: 39, 733