Chelsea supporters also directed chants of “sacked in the morning” towards Carrick as their team dominated the closing stages.

LONDON: Michael Carrick’s position as Manchester United manager came under renewed pressure after his side suffered a 2-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

United missed several opportunities to take the lead before Morgan Rogers broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, driving through the heart of their defence and finishing past goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Lisandro Martinez then dealt another blow to United’s hopes by receiving two quick yellow cards. His second booking also resulted in a penalty, which Cole Palmer converted to secure Chelsea’s victory.

The defeat extended United’s winless run to nine matches. The 20-time English champions remain just one point above the relegation zone and risk ending the weekend in the bottom three.

United Waste First-Half Chances

Carrick had been expected to face dismissal following last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. However, the former United midfielder was given another opportunity to improve the team’s fortunes.

He recalled captain Bruno Fernandes after leaving him out of the previous match. Fernandes had criticised the manager’s tactics following a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League.

Fernandes missed a promising opportunity to open the scoring when he fired over from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.

The two players then exchanged roles, but Mbeumo failed to reach Fernandes’s delivery at the far post. Amad Diallo also had two attempts denied by Chelsea’s stand-in goalkeeper Mike Penders.

United appeared to have finally scored when Matheus Cunha converted Harry Maguire’s header from a corner, but the Brazilian was ruled offside.

Carrick expressed his frustration during a half-time interview with broadcasters, and his mood worsened after Chelsea scored shortly into the second half.

Martinez Sent Off as Chelsea Take Control

Rogers, who credited Carrick with helping revive his career during their time together at Middlesbrough, delivered a potentially decisive blow against his former manager.

The England international collected the ball near the centre circle and drove towards the United goal before lifting it over Lammens to put Chelsea ahead.

Martinez, who had recently criticised United’s lack of spending in the transfer market, struggled to contain Rogers.

The Argentine defender was first penalised for pulling back the Chelsea forward. From the resulting free-kick, he then struck Wesley Fofana with a raised forearm.

Following a VAR review, referee Peter Banks awarded Chelsea a penalty and showed Martinez a second yellow card, leaving United with 10 players.

Palmer converted the spot-kick despite Lammens getting a hand to the ball, sending it into the bottom corner.

Chelsea Denied Third Goal

Chelsea appeared to add a third goal when Estevao fired Palmer’s pass into the top corner, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

The Blues, who had given Estevao a rare start since Xabi Alonso took charge, controlled much of the final quarter without extending their lead.

Chelsea supporters also directed chants of “sacked in the morning” towards Carrick as their team dominated the closing stages.

United Face Crucial Champions League Test

Manchester United’s hierarchy now face another major decision ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League home fixture against Roma.

United have lost two of their three European matches so far and face the prospect of an early exit, which would bring both sporting embarrassment and financial consequences.

Another defeat against the Italian side at Old Trafford could further intensify scrutiny of Carrick’s position.