Thomas Tuchel's aspect ruled for long periods at Stamford Bridge however fell behind whilst Jorginho's negative manage supplied Sancho with the chance to attain early within the 2d half of.
Jorginho made amends for that mistake as he stroked home a penalty after Aaron Wan-Bissaka fouled Thiago Silva.
It changed into the least Chelsea deserved after they laid seige to United's goal and noticed David de Gea make a series of first-class saves.
Chelsea, unbeaten in their last eleven video games in all competitions, continue to be top of the Premier League but at the moment are simply one point ahead of 2nd-placed Manchester City, who defeated West Ham earlier on Sunday.
United, in eighth place, are 12 factors adrift of the leaders however this gritty display was something to construct on after a demanding length.
Michael Carrick was in price of United for a second successive recreation after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's sacking, with the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as meantime manager till the stop of this season expected to be confirmed rapidly.
United are in discussions with Rangnick, who's operating as director of sports activities and improvement at Lokomotiv Moscow.
But inside the intervening time Carrick had overseen a important win at Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday and he used the identical protecting blueprint to frustrate Chelsea.
Given Rangnick's preference for a intense pressing recreation-plan that won't in shape Cristiano Ronaldo, it become intriguing to peer the now and again diffident Portugal striker left on the bench by way of Carrick until the 63rd minute.
With Bruno Fernandes as the fake 9 and Marcus Rashford and Sancho on the flanks, United set up for a factor and were given precisely that.
