Ex-Super Eagles star singles out Robert Sanchez for Chelsea’s loss to Manchester United

Robert Sanchez during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 match between Bayern and Chelsea F.C. at Allianz Arena. FInal Score Bayern 3:1. Copyright: ImagoxGrzegorzxWajdax

Manchester United secured their second league win of the season over Chelsea in a dramatic fashion last weekend, Soccernet.ng reports.

Five minutes into the game, Enzo Maresca’s side were down to ten men after their goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, clattered into Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo just outside of the 18-yard box.

Being the last man in defense and penalized for obstructing a clear goalscoring opportunity, the Spanish goalkeeper was given his marching orders, with Chelsea going a man down with just five minutes of the game played.

Robert Sanchez is shown a red card during the Manchester United vs Chelsea Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. [Photo Credit/ ImagoxAndrew Yates].Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Realizing his team will be ten men down for 85 minutes, Enzo Maresca opted to play it defensive immediately, taking off Pedro Neto and Willian Estevao. He brought on Tosin Adarabioyo and Filip Jorgensen in their place.

Bruno Fernandes scored his 100th goal for Manchester United in the 14th minute before Casemiro doubled the lead for Ruben Amorim’s side in the 37th minute.

Chelsea pulled one back through Trevor Chalobah in the 80th minute, but Manchester United held on for all three points.

Robert Sanchez sent off, Filip Jorgensen on, during the Manchester United FC v Chelsea FC English Premier League match at Old Trafford. [Photo Credit: ImagoxPhil Duncan].
Mikel Obi faults Sanchez for Chelsea loss
Former Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder John Mikel Obi called for the Blues to sign a goalkeeper before the transfer window slammed shut.

Sanchez’s error has now vindicated the outcry of the one-time UEFA Champions League winner, who maintains his former side need stronger hands in goal.

“They’re not the Manchester United that they used to be, but it’s still a huge fixture. It was a big game, and if after five minutes, your goalkeeper is sent off, it changes everything,” the one-time AFCON winner said on the Obi One Podcast.

UEFA ambassador Mikel John Obi with the UEFA Champions League trophy during an opening ceremony at Trafalgar Square. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
“Your entire game plan is out of the window and it was a disappointing start to the game. It was a huge mistake and he knows that.

“I’ll rather play the whole game with eleven men and be a goal down than to play the game with ten men, because we know Manchester United are not who they used to be.

“We have a better team and we could’ve easily won the game if we had eleven men. For him to come off his line and clatter into Mbeumo is an issue of not trusting himself.

“He could’ve made himself big and stayed closer to the goal line, but he went out and made a rash decision. A decision he didn’t need to make.

Robert Sanchez Chelsea FC. [Photo Credit/ Imago].
“I said it, we should’ve gotten a keeper this summer. We can see what Donnarumma is doing at Manchester City. It’ll be incredibly hard for us to win the Premier League with the goalkeeper we have right now,” Mikel Obi concluded.

Chelsea are currently 6th on the English Premier League table, seven points behind League leaders Liverpool.