Manchester United slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, with defender Lisandro Martinez sent off after conceding a penalty, leaving manager Michael Carrick's position increasingly precarious. The result extends United's winless run in all competitions to eight games.
United produced a much-improved first-half display and should have taken the lead, but poor defending allowed Morgan Rogers to score the opener. Martinez then gave away a penalty and was dismissed for a second yellow card, allowing Cole Palmer to convert from the spot and seal the win.
Pressure mounts on Carrick
The build-up to the match was among the toughest United have faced in recent years. Carrick survived crisis talks involving the Glazers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox following the 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth last Sunday.
United arrived at Stamford Bridge having gone eight games without a win in all competitions. Bruno Fernandes returned to the starting line-up after being an unused substitute in the Bournemouth defeat, following comments criticising Carrick's tactics in the 4-1 loss against Como in the Champions League.
United fans made their feelings clear early on, singing Carrick's name before chanting against the Glazers, Ratcliffe and Wilcox. The away support had earlier cheered Carrick and booed the players off after the Bournemouth game.
Chances missed in open first half
The game was an open affair despite the pressure on both managers. Xabi Alonso also faced questions after a 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham. Andrey Santos saw an effort from outside the box fly wide, while Estevao had a tap-in ruled out for offside.
The visitors created the best chances of the opening half hour. Fernandes shanked a one-on-one effort over the bar with his left foot, and Bryan Mbeumo failed to connect with Fernandes' drilled cross. Matheus Cunha put the ball in the net from a corner but was offside, and Amad Diallo sliced another one-on-one chance over the bar on the stroke of half-time.
The first half ended goalless, with Carrick the happier manager, but his side failed to take their openings against a Chelsea team that created chances largely on the counter-attack.
Defensive collapse after the break
Five minutes into the second half, United's defence was exposed again. Rogers glided through the middle of Harry Maguire and Martinez without pressure and dinked the ball over Senne Lammens. The goal followed Mbeumo being caught on the ball at the halfway line and Carlos Baleba diving into a challenge he could not win.
Carrick brought on Kobbie Mainoo before the hour mark on his return from injury, replacing Baleba, who has yet to find his feet since his £70million move from Brighton. But Martinez again let the club and his manager down, fouling Rogers on the edge of the box. From the resulting free-kick, Martinez jumped into Wesley Fofana with his arms in his face while not looking at the ball. Seconds after a first yellow card, he conceded a penalty after a VAR review and was sent off.
Palmer stepped up and converted his spot kick, which should have been saved by Lammens, who got both hands to the strike but could not keep it out. Carrick sent on Mason Mount and Ayden Heaven to plug the gap, but Estevao had the ball in the net again shortly after, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
Mbeumo saw a spectacular strike from outside the box tipped onto the bar by Mike Penders, denying a grandstand finish. Palmer should have had a second, and Valentino Barco failed to make it three by missing from close range at the back post on the half volley.
