Carrick under mounting pressure as Manchester United lose 2-0 at Chelsea

Michael Carrick’s position as Manchester United manager came under further pressure after his side were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea and ended the game with 10 men on Saturday.

The defeat extended United’s run to nine consecutive matches without a win in all competitions. The club’s board had decided to retain Carrick for the trip to Stamford Bridge despite a 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth last weekend, which followed a 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League.

United were beaten by goals from Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer and are provisionally 16th in the Premier League, with seven points from nine games. They are only one point above the relegation zone. Chelsea moved up to fourth with 16 points.

Captain Bruno Fernandes returned to the United starting line-up after falling out with Carrick. The visitors made a positive start and created several opportunities during an open first half.

Fernandes was unable to convert one of those chances, while Matheus Cunha had a goal disallowed for offside and Amad also went close. United were left to rue those missed opportunities after Chelsea took the lead four minutes into the second half.

Rogers collected the ball just inside the United half and carried it forward as the visiting defence hesitated. He then lifted a composed finish over goalkeeper Senne Lammens to put Chelsea ahead.

United’s task became more difficult in the 63rd minute when Lisandro Martinez brought down Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana inside the penalty area. The defender was shown a second yellow card, leaving his side with 10 players, and Chelsea were awarded a penalty.

Palmer took responsibility from the spot and scored despite Lammens getting a hand to the ball as he dived to his right.

The result intensified the scrutiny on Carrick, who had a highly successful 12-year career as a Manchester United midfielder. Home supporters taunted him during the closing stages with chants of: “You’ll be sacked in the morning.”