Michael Carrick’s position as Manchester United manager looks increasingly precarious following a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Despite surviving crushing defeats to Como and Bournemouth last week, Carrick is facing mounting pressure after another disappointing result in London, with United’s winless run now reaching alarming proportions.
For much of the first half, however, there were signs that Carrick’s side might finally be turning a corner.
United played with greater purpose and intensity, looking particularly dangerous on the counter-attack.
They were arguably the better side during the opening 45 minutes and should have gone into the break ahead after creating several promising opportunities – before a second half that told a more familiar story.
Goals from Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, alongside a costly red card for under-fire defender Lisandro Martinez, condemned United to another defeat and left Carrick’s future under further scrutiny.
United are now nine games without a win, their longest winless run since 1988.
With results and performances continuing to deteriorate, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how the former midfielder can turn things around.
Carrick expects to remain in charge for Roma clash
Carrick remained defiant during his post-match press conference, despite the disappointment surrounding United following another damaging result.
“It’s as simple as that. There’s no words that I can explain to you now that will make it any different. It’s not going to change it. We’ve got to move forward and win matches, “ he said.
“I thought it was as good as we’d played for some time in the first half. We looked dangerous, we looked fluid, we looked like a good team….I’m just looking forward to getting the boys ready for midweek.”
United are due to face Roma in the Champions League, although confidence around Old Trafford is understandably low.
Yet Carrick appeared determined to take some positives from the performance, particularly the opening 45 minutes.
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Sign of improvement
There were genuine signs of improvement, with United arguably producing their best first-half display of the season at Stamford Bridge, and the underlying numbers supported that assessment.
United registered nine first-half shots and accumulated 1.15 xG, compared with Chelsea’s eight attempts and 0.44 xG.
Their first-half display highlights just how bad the second-half was, with United managing just three shots and 0.09 xG, while Chelsea produced 11 attempts and a commanding 2.57 xG.
The dramatic shift highlighted United’s inability to maintain any intensity and control over the course of a match.
The ease with which Morgan Rogers was allowed to glide through midfield before finding the net was perhaps as concerning as Martinez’s costly lack of discipline, with his dismissal leaving United facing an uphill battle.
As the final whistle approached, Chelsea supporters could be heard chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”, celebrating both the victory and the growing uncertainty surrounding their opponents’ manager.
For Carrick, the writing increasingly appears to be on the wall.
It might not happen immediately, but his departure is beginning to feel like a question of when rather than if, with United seemingly weighing up their next move.
Estevao impresses on return to Chelsea side
The result represented a much-needed boost for Chelsea and Xabi Alonso following consecutive defeats against Tottenham and Liverpool.
The return of Willian Estevao proved particularly influential, with the youngster delivering an electric performance and causing United problems throughout the contest, even finding the net in the second half, only for it to be ruled offside.
Alonso was full of praise for the Brazilian after the game.
“Really, really happy for him,” said Alonso. “He deserved this moment to connect the good feeling on the pitch with the crowd.”
“He was tired at the end but he deserved the ovation. It’s the best way to respond to a coach when you’re not playing that much.”
Morgan Rogers also continued his impressive form since arriving in London from Birmingham, becoming only the second player in the league this season to reach 10 goal involvements.
There were positives for Chelsea, then, but the performance was far from flawless.
Palmer remains some way short of the scintillating form he demonstrated a couple of seasons ago, while Chelsea struggled to impose themselves during the first half.
They were frequently exposed on the counter-attack by a United side that has otherwise failed to threaten in their miserable campaign.
Alonso will need time and patience to build the team he wants but this performance also highlighted the work still required before Chelsea can seriously challenge for the Premier League title.
The victory was important, particularly after their recent setbacks, but there is little doubt that Chelsea remain a work in progress.
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Michael Davey