Michael Carrick's reprieve as Manchester United manager could be brief, after his players fell apart in a 2-0 league defeat away to Chelsea on Saturday. United have now gone nine matches without a win and sit a single point clear of the drop zone, with a real prospect of dropping into the bottom three by the end of the weekend.
Morgan Rogers then strolled straight through the middle of United's back line to score the opener in the 50th minute, after the visitors had squandered numerous opportunities to go ahead at Stamford Bridge.
Any hope of a United fightback was killed off by Lisandro Martinez, who was booked twice in rapid succession. His second caution also gave away a spot-kick, which Cole Palmer put away.
Nine matches have now gone by without a victory for the side who have won the English title 20 times, and this defeat leaves them only a single point clear of the relegation places. They could even drop into the relegation zone before the weekend is over.
Michael Carrick lacked a ruthless edge in the first half
A good number of observers had predicted that Carrick would be sacked after the 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth seven days earlier.
Instead, the ex-United midfielder was handed an opportunity to revive his team's season, and he will regret how little ruthlessness they showed in the opening half.
Captain Bruno Fernandes returned to Carrick's plans after being dropped the previous weekend, having publicly questioned his manager's tactics following a 4-1 hammering at Como in the Champions League.
The chances that went begging in the first half:
- Fernandes ought to have celebrated his comeback with the first goal, but he sent a shot high over the bar after Bryan Mbeumo had set him up with a tempting cross.
- Then it was Mbeumo's turn to come up short, unable to reach Fernandes's delivery to the far post.
- Chelsea's deputy goalkeeper Mike Penders made two saves to keep out Amad Diallo.
- Matheus Cunha steered the ball into the net after Harry Maguire's glancing effort from a set piece, but the goal was ruled out because the Brazilian was fractionally offside.
During his interview with broadcasters at the break, Carrick made no effort to conceal his annoyance, and his temper worsened still further after a calamitous opening to the second half.
Martinez sent off as Rogers punishes his old boss
Rogers says Carrick gave his career a fresh lease of life when the two worked together at Middlesbrough, yet he may have landed a decisive blow against his old manager.
Picking up possession in the centre of the pitch, the England international had a clear run at the United goal and then chipped it over Senne Lammens.
In recent weeks Martinez has also spoken openly, criticising United for failing to spend on new signings to strengthen the squad under Carrick.
Yet judged on what has been seen this season, Martinez is among those who most need to be replaced.
Moments later, the Argentina international could not match Rogers for strength, and a foul was given against him for pulling the Chelsea attacker back from behind.
Following the free-kick that resulted, Martinez then clattered recklessly into Wesley Fofana, raising his forearm as he did so.
Following a VAR check, match official Peter Banks pointed to the spot and sent Martinez off with a second booking.
Lammens got a hand to Palmer's penalty, but it still squirmed beyond him and trickled into the low corner of the net.
Estevao, who has seldom started for Chelsea since Xabi Alonso became the club's manager, saw a further goal ruled out for offside after he thumped Palmer's cross into the upper corner of the net.
Chelsea supporters chanted “sacked in the morning” as their team played with United during the closing quarter of the match, never extending the advantage.
What next for Michael Carrick and United?
The United hierarchy face yet another major call ahead of a huge Champions League tie against Roma at home on Tuesday.
United have lost two of their three European matches so far, so another defeat to the Italians at Old Trafford would bring both humiliation and a financial blow through early elimination. For Michael Carrick, the outcome of that evening could settle whether he keeps his post.
