Michael Carrick's time in charge of Manchester United could well be up after a dismal 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where Lisandro Martinez was sent off.

Carrick seemed set to face the axe earlier this week after United's heavy defeats to Como and Bournemouth, but he was kept in charge for Saturday's Premier League contest, which was settled by goals from Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.

United were actually the better team in the first half, creating chances worth 1.09 expected goals to Chelsea's 0.28 xG.

Bruno Fernandes, back in the starting XI after he was benched against Bournemouth following his open criticism of Carrick's tactics, wasted the best of those opportunities when he blazed over at the end of a rapid counter-attack.

Estevao had earlier seen a goal disallowed for offside, and United suffered the same fate when Matheus Cunha turned in from Harry Maguire's header.

Moises Caicedo deflected against the post from a Chelsea corner before Amad Diallo and Pedro Neto squandered big chances prior to half-time, but there were no positive signs for United after the break.

Less than five minutes after the restart, they gave Rogers the freedom of the park as he surged through midfield and into the box before lifting a deft finish over Senne Lammens.

10 - Since his Premier League debut in February 2024, only Erling Haaland (17) and Bryan Mbeumo (13) have scored more goals following a carry than Morgan Rogers (10). Drive. https://t.co/IHgGZ7XT5p

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 31, 2026

United's frustration was then compounded by a moment of madness from Martinez.

He had only just been booked for a foul on Rogers when he went in forearm first on Fofana in the visitors' area, with referee Peter Bankes awarding the penalty and sending Martinez off after consulting the pitchside monitor.

Lammens could have done better to keep out Palmer's spot-kick, and only a VAR review for offside prevented Estevao from making it 3-0 soon after.

Bryan Mbeumo struck the crossbar before Palmer and Valentin Barco passed up huge chances at the other end in 10 minutes of stoppage time, but it looks bleak for Carrick.

No let-up for under-pressure Carrick

The writing seems to be on the wall for Carrick, and this was a scary second-half performance on Halloween if you are of a United persuasion.

United's second-half xG came in at just 0.08, to Chelsea's 2.33, and the Red Devils have now gone nine straight games without a win for the first time since 1988.

Their defending for Chelsea's opener was truly terrible, with Rogers able to drive through the centre of the field and finish unchallenged.

Rogers is just the second Premier League player to reach 10 goal involvements in all competitions this season (six goals, four assists), after Erling Haaland (13). To give a player of his quality so much time and space was baffling from United.

Not as baffling, though, as Martinez's decision to raise his arm on Fofana, giving referee Bankes little choice but to send him off and award the penalty. That marked the Argentine's second Premier League red card of 2026, after he was dismissed against Leeds United in April.

Palmer stepped up to score his 50th Premier League goal in his 105th game for Chelsea – only Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (84) and Diego Costa (85) have taken fewer games to reach that milestone for the Blues – and there was really no coming back from there for a United team that looked devoid of energy or ideas.

50 - Cole Palmer has scored his 50th Premier League goal for Chelsea; in his 105th appearance, he's the third fastest to reach the milestone for the Blues after Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (84) and Diego Costa (85). Nifty. https://t.co/0DOqL88R18

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 31, 2026

Estevao, meanwhile, was hugely impressive as he was handed a chance to impress Xabi Alonso. He led the game for shots (six), shots on target (three), chances created (three – level with Fernandes, Rogers and Palmer) and dribbles (five attempted).

United, meanwhile, have failed to score in four of their nine league games this season. Only Coventry City (five) have failed to score more often in the top flight this season, and the Red Devils could end the day in the bottom three.