Martial and Sancho for cup final
There didn't look to be anything in Trevoh Chalobah's challenge to stop Antony midway through the first half, but the reaction of the Brazilian winger suggested he knew he had done himself some damage.
As he was stretchered off Erik ten Hag stepped onto the pitch and patted the 23-year-old on the chest, with a few consoling words for him. You would certainly have to mark him down as a doubt for the FA Cup final now.
The £85million summer signing had been heavily involved in the early stages. He didn't always pick the right pass but he was a threat down the right and looked to be getting the better of Lewis Hall.
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If Antony is out at Wembley then it probably means Bruno Fernandes on the right, an approach Ten Hag used against Manchester City at Old Trafford in January. With Marcus Rashford also a certain starter it would leave one place for either Jadon Sancho or Anthony Martial.
Neither had done much in the first 45 minutes to press their case, until the moment they combined to double United's lead. Sancho timed his run well and laid the finish on a plate for Martial.
Until then, Martial had fallen over every time he had a sight of goal and Sancho's confidence had been plummeting once again. The crowd were becoming frustrated by both until they combined to kill off the game.
You would think one of them is now in line to start at Wembley on June 3. There might be one more audition to come this weekend.
Casemiro's goal threat
Only four United players have scored more goals than Casemiro's seven now and in a side often short on goals, his ability to pop up with a few is proving valuable.
United spent £70million on him to shore up their midfield and he has done that, but he's proving a threat on set pieces and was in a very advanced area to score against Bournemouth last week.
His header against Chelsea was excellent. It wasn't an easy finish but he got the contact just right and gave Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance. Both of Casemiro's goals this week have come in the first 10 minutes and they've come in games that have been decisive at the business end of the season.
He also scored the goal that cracked open the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in February and is proving to be a player for the big occasion.
Rashford's milestone
When Fernandes took the penalty he had won to put United 3-0 up against Chelsea it looked like Rashford would have to wait a little longer to try and reach the 30-goal mark for the season.
But Chelsea's ability to self-destruct wasn't factored in and he was the beneficiary when the hapless Wesley Fofana passed the ball straight to Fernandes on the edge of his area. He squared for Rashford, who finished at the second attempt.
The goals had dried up a little of late but Rashford deserved to become the first United player since Robin van Persie to score 30 goals in a season, something he achieved a decade ago. It's been a remarkable renaissance for the 25-year-old.
That goal was also badly needed before the FA Cup final when there's no doubt he will be integral to United's chances of causing an upset and beating City. A fit and firing Rashford will be vital at Wembley.
Job done for Ten Hag
When Ten Hag walked into Old Trafford a year ago he would surely have taken a trophy and a return to the Champions League in his first season. With two games to go both of those have been achieved.
A win on Sunday will see United finish third with their second-highest points tally in 10 years. A week later they have the chance of another trophy in the FA Cup final.
There have been some disappointments during the season and some disastrous away days in particular, but the signs of progress are there and after the way the campaign began, it is undoubtedly ending in triumph.
He deserves immense credit for the way his first season in charge has gone and Old Trafford definitely recognises that. It is Old Trafford that has proved vital to United's ascent up the table as well. They haven't lost at home since the opening day of the season and have won 14 of their 18 games, taking 45 points at home.
Next season's challenge
United have certainly taken advantage of the drop off in the form of Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea this season, but the challenge now is to find more improvement next season when there will always be the threat of a revival at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, maybe even at Spurs.
Liverpool are already showing signs of improvement and it's hard to believe Chelsea could possibly be this bad again, especially if they spend in the summer and Mauricio Pochettino's appointment is confirmed. Frank Lampard's own managerial career at the highest level has surely been ended by his return to Stamford Bridge.
After returning to the top four there will inevitably be talk of progressing to a title challenge now, but arguably what United need to do is build again and make sure they stay in the top four. The competition in the Premier League is fierce and those sides United have taken advantage of this season will likely be better next season.
There is also the threat of Newcastle, whose rise to the top will be accelerated after their own unexpected Champions League qualification. The ultimate aim for United under Ten Hag has to be to challenge for the title and win the league, but there is no guarantee it will come next season.
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