A towering header from Alvaro Morata, the striker Mourinho overlooked to sign Romelu Lukaku instead, was enough with Chelsea arresting their own simmering crisis. Lukaku was desperately disappointing.
Morata escaped the attentions of United's defenders to find yards of space and beat goalkeeper David de Gea from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross in the 55th minute.
It was another unproductive away day for United and manager Jose Mourinho after a goalless draw at Liverpool and loss to Huddersfield Town, leaving them eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City, who beat Arsenal 3-1 earlier in the day.
For Mourinho it is now 10 games, no wins, one goal in away games against the other ‘top six’ clubs, as first Chelsea and United manager, and there can be no disputing the result.
The true winners were Manchester City, of course, who saw their lead at the top of the table extended to eight points, in effect nine when their commanding goal difference, is factored in.
For Antonio Conte, the Chelsea manager, this was a rallying point of a result going into the international break and following the chaotic Champions League defeat away to Roma in midweek.
United, meanwhile, were caught between two stools – they had to come out and play and try to win but were undone defensively. Mourinho has been stung by criticism of his conservative in recent big games but this result will sting even more.
There was intent from both teams; no-one could accuse them of not going for the victory with chances flowing at both ends. It was thunderous, at times, a bit too bone-jarringly frantic also.
In fact the ball was in the United net inside seven minutes, volleyed there inadvertently by Phil Jones, but it was disallowed by referee Anthony Taylor who deemed Morata had pushed the defender as he tried to intercept Marcos Alonso’s cross. “Clear foul,” Taylor was seen mouthing but it did not appear that obvious.
Then United should have gone in front when Marcus Rashford, who had drifted free inside the six-yard area, met Ashley Young’s in-swinging cross but managed to cushion his header onto the roof of the net. Surely he had to do better with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stranded.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho:
"It was an even match. Both teams could win. The first to score would be in more defensive control and to win the match. The first half was really even. In the second half in the only period where they were on top of the game, they scored.
"It frustrates us to concede a goal in this situation. We lost ourselves after the goal emotionally. We found again the balance ad desire in the last 15 to 20 minutes. It was all us. We had big chances to equalise but we couldn't."
“We are second - not fifth, sixth or seventh or eight. We have several teams in a more difficult position than we have. Eight points is eight points. We went through a very difficult phase with important matches against Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea without important players.
“The game was controlled by us and the game was controlled by them. We had chances and they had chances and with the first goal they were able to bring more people to defend. We tried to change the direction of our game, we created chances to equalise but we couldn't.
"We had chances. If I remember Lukaku shot in the first half and in the last part of the game with Rashford shot and Courtois without a chance with the cross to the far post to Fellaini. We had lots of chances to score goals."
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte:
“It’s an important victory. When you play against Manchester United it’s always a massive game. We know very well this team is very strong. This type of win is important for our confidence. We showed great desire and passion to win this kind of game."
“We can win or lose but our spirit must be this. Last season our spirit was in every game – we started this season with a lot of problems. We were up and down. This game showed if we want we can."
Asked if David Luiz has a future at Chelsea: “I don’t know. He has to work really hard otherwise they are on the bench or in the stand.”
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