Martinez Sent Off as Man Utd Lose 2-0 to Chelsea: Carrick's Worst Run

Martinez sees red as Manchester United's winless run extends to nine games

Lisandro Martinez was sent off for two bookable offences in 83 seconds as Manchester United lost 2-0 at Chelsea, deepening Michael Carrick's problems. The defeat leaves United nine games without a win in all competitions — their worst run since 1988-89 — and they are teetering on the brink of the relegation zone.

Match: Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United, Premier League
Key moment: Martinez sent off in the second half after two fouls in 83 seconds
Goals: Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea the lead; Martinez's foul on Wesley Fofana conceded a penalty
Man Utd run: Nine games without a win in all competitions — worst since 1988-89
What's at stake: United face Aston Villa next Sunday without the suspended Martinez, then welcome Roma on Tuesday needing a win for Champions League qualification hopes

What was said

"I've not seen it back, so I don't know if it was or not... it's a big moment in the game."
— Michael Carrick on Martinez's red card

"The second goal and losing a man at that stage had a big influence on it, for sure."
— Michael Carrick

"He jumped into him, making no attempt to play the ball and not even looking at the ball as it came in from the corner. Martinez was rightly sent off for two bookable offences, as well as conceding a needless penalty for the reckless challenge on Fofana."
— Darren Cann, World Cup final official, to BBC Sport

"At 1-0 down United are still in a decent position. You're still in the game. At 2-0 and down to 10 men, effectively the game is over."
— Stephen Warnock, former England and Liverpool defender, to BBC Sport

"If the player sent off holds his hands up and says 'sorry, boys, I've let you down' it can diffuse the situation but the issue is that Martinez is making mistake after mistake at the moment."
— Stephen Warnock

"In a Man Utd shirt, he's just at the scene of the crime too often. Whatever the next Man Utd phase is, I think Martinez's time at the club has run its course."
— Joe Cole, former Chelsea and England midfielder, on TNT Sports

"There's no words I'm going to explain to you now that makes any difference. It's not going to change it. We've got to move forward and win football matches, it's as simple as that."
— Michael Carrick

"The way they went about it and played, the quality of football and the way we played in the first half definitely gives encouragement, and we've got to take that."
— Michael Carrick

Carrick's refusal to publicly condemn Martinez is telling — he admitted he had not seen the incident back, but his body language spoke volumes as he focused on rearranging his side with assistant Steve Holland. The former defenders Warnock and Cann were less forgiving, highlighting the recklessness of Martinez's challenge. Joe Cole's assessment was the most damning, suggesting the Argentine's time at Old Trafford has run its course.

The numbers

83 seconds: The time between Martinez's two bookable offences
9 games: Manchester United's winless run in all competitions — their worst since 1988-89
2-0: Chelsea's winning scoreline
1: Penalty conceded by Martinez for the challenge on Fofana
0: Number of wins for United in their last nine matches

Why Martinez's meltdown cost Carrick more than just a goal

Lisandro Martinez had already been booked when he chose to block off Wesley Fofana at the far post from Estevao's corner. The VAR, James Bell, advised referee Peter Bankes to review the incident, and the decision was inevitable: a second yellow and a penalty. Morgan Rogers had already given Chelsea the lead, but United were very much in the game at 1-0. The red card and penalty killed the contest.

Carrick's side had been the better team in the first half. Bruno Fernandes and Amad both blazed off target from excellent positions, while Chelsea keeper Mike Penders made two fine saves, including one from Bryan Mbeumo's blistering shot. United's failure to convert those chances meant they were always vulnerable to a sucker punch. Martinez provided it.

The Argentine's suspension for the Aston Villa game is a further blow. With United hovering above the relegation zone, Carrick needs his senior players to step up. Martinez did the opposite, and the scrutiny on his future will only intensify.

Talking points

Was Martinez's red card the turning point? United were 1-0 down but competitive; the sending-off and penalty ended the game as a contest.
Should Carrick have substituted Martinez at half-time? The defender was on a booking and clearly rattled; leaving him on invited trouble.
Is Martinez's Manchester United career over? Joe Cole thinks so, and with mistakes mounting, the club may agree.
How much pressure is Carrick under? Nine games without a win is a crisis, but the first-half performance offered some encouragement.

What happens next

Manchester United host Aston Villa next Sunday without the suspended Martinez, knowing a defeat could leave them in the relegation zone. Three days later, Roma visit Old Trafford in a match United must win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes realistic. Carrick remains in charge for now, but the margin for error is razor-thin.