Things continue to go from bad to worse for Michael Carrick as his prospects of holding on to his position as Manchester United manager took another dent following this 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.
United were the better team for 45 minutes but wasted their opportunities and were made to pay for it in the second half when Morgan Rogers fired Chelsea ahead.
From there, United capitulated, not helped by the ridiculous decision-making of Lisandro Martinez, who launched an elbow at Wesley Fofana on a corner, conceding a penalty and picking up a red card.
Cole Palmer scored that penalty and United never looked capable of getting back into the game as fans turned on the Argentine defender.
For Chelsea, this was the win they craved following a week in which they lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
Daily Mail Sport’s KIERAN GILL and CHRIS WHEELER were in position at Stamford Bridge to run the rule over both sides…
Morgan Rogers (left) and Cole Palmer (right) both scored to pile misery on Manchester United
Michael Carrick had his head in his hands as his side unravelled before going down to 10 men
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1)
Mike Penders – 7
Earned his first Premier League clean sheet as a starter. Denied Amad twice, including after one of Wesley Fofana’s errors. Saved by the offside flag when Matheus Cunha scored at a corner, and tipped Bryan Mbeumo’s rocket on to the crossbar.
Josh Acheampong – 7
Much-needed sliding challenge to stop Cunha from tapping in and a block to deny Bruno Fernandes amid other tidying up. The Cobham graduate was Chelsea’s best defender here. He’s coming of age.
Wesley Fofana – 4
Chelsea won, but we cannot pretend Fofana did not endure a shocker of a first half. Manchester United should have scored from at least one of his mistakes. But Fofana at least won his team a penalty when Martinez clattered into him at a corner.
Levi Colwill – 6
Needed to attack crosses as United grew into the game in the build-up to half-time. A much easier – or enjoyable even – afternoon when the visitors dropped down to 10 men.
Marco Palestra – 5
Had to fly forward down the left wing so that Morgan Rogers could drift inside. Got some mistakes out of his system in what was his first competitive start. A much more comfortable second half.
Marco Palestra struggled early on but managed to get mistakes out of his game as he settled
Romeo Lavia – 8
Replaced the unwell Jordan Henderson. Created Chelsea’s opening goal as he brilliantly won the ball in midfield and gave it to Morgan Rogers. Regularly read passes before they happened. My star performer here overall. Back-to-back full 90s for him now.
Moises Caicedo – 6
Rarely is Caicedo upstaged by another midfielder, but even he knew his partner here was performing at an even higher level than him. A second-half showing full of control from Chelsea.
Estevao – 7
Chelsea fans demanded him. Xabi Alonso delivered him. Had two goals disallowed for offside on his first Premier League start of the season. Even hugged Alonso after he thought he had made it 3-0. Only for VAR to decide his shoulder had strayed offside. Such a positive performance.
Cole Palmer – 6
Had hardly been in the game in an attacking sense when Chelsea were awarded a penalty, which he scored for 2-0. Would have tapped in another were it not for good defending from Harry Maguire.
Morgan Rogers – 7
Could not believe his luck as United’s defence parted like the Red Sea to allow him through. He kept running and running and then chipped Lammens for 1-0. A lovely goal.
Rogers was a real livewire and couldn’t believe United’s defending as he went clear to score
Pedro Neto – 6
Shot parried by Senne Lammens led to Estevao’s offside tap-in. Had a good chance before half-time after winning the ball from Maguire but the angle was too tight for him to find the finish. Tried his best as a false nine.
MANAGER: Xabi Alonso – 7
The first half was poor, but he stood by his selection at the break, and Chelsea wound up winning comfortably. Good on him for finally using Estevao.
SUBS
Pep Chavarria (for Palestra, 74) – 6
Eased back from injury by coming on with Chelsea leading 2-0.
Danny Welbeck (for Estevao, 87) – N/A
Valentin Barco (for Caicedo, 87) – N/A
Malo Gusto (for Neto, 87) – N/A
Geovany Quenda (for Palmer, 90) – N/A
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Senne Lammens – 6
Had no chance with Rogers’ opener and Palmer’s penalty. Got lucky when Caicedo hit the post in the first half, but did his best to keep United in the game and made a superb late save from Estevao.
Leny Yoro – 5
Did well against Rogers in the first half but less so in the second as Chelsea’s front line began to run United ragged. He wasn’t alone in that respect.
Leny Yoro (right) started well and looked a bright spot but he faded as the game got away
Harry Maguire – 5
Gave Rogers the freedom of Stamford Bridge to score the first goal. He had been solid up until then, apart from a slip that almost let in Neto, and got forward well at set-pieces.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Let his team down with a stupid challenge on Fofana at a corner shortly after being booked. Red card and penalty killed United’s chances. A player of his experience should know better.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Continues to fill in at left-back and it’s no easy task, especially when you are up against a winger like Estevao. Another player who did well up to half-time and suffered after that.
Carlos Baleba – 4
Crucially lost out in the 50-50 that led to Chelsea’s opener. United paid £70m for Baleba to make a difference in those moments and he came up short. Substituted shortly afterwards.
Andrey Santos – 5
United’s other new defensive midfielder showed why he was never a first-choice at Chelsea. Powerless to stop the game turning in his old team’s favour when they came on strong after the interval.
Andrey Santos (left) was powerless to stop Chelsea taking control of Saturday’s early kick-off
Amad – 6
How different might this game and result been if Amad had taken his chances? Could have had a hat-trick in the first half alone. By far United’s liveliest player but finishing let him down.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
The captain was back in the team after being dropped, and back in the No 10 role. Sadly, still not back to his best though. Too sloppy in possession and missed a great chance in the first half.
Matheus Cunha – 5
Another player recalled by Carrick. A handful on the left and when he alternated with Fernandes at No 10. Wanted to get on the ball and had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside, but faded after half-time.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
Inches away from giving United a lifeline when he hit the underside of the bar in added time. Had more impact in the first half when he produced arguably the pass of the match to set up Fernandes.
HEAD COACH: Michael Carrick – 5
These were the marginal games Carrick was winning last season. It was an improved performance from United but missed chances cost Carrick the game and may soon cost him his job.
SUBS
Kobbie Mainoo (for Baleba, 58) – 6
Mason Mount (for Cunha, 66) – 6
Ayden Heaven (for Santos, 66) – 5
Joshua Zirkzee (for Amad, 71) – 6
