Manchester United are now winless in their last nine matches across all competitions after a 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon, increasing pressure on head coach Michael Carrick to turn the situation around.
The Red Devils thought they had the lead in the 34th minute when he headed home a pass from Harry Maguire, but the goal was chalked off for offside as the first half ended goalless.
Chelsea finally broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half after Morgan Rogers drove home a ball from Romeo Lavia before the ball over the shoulder of goalkeeper Senne Lammens inside the six-yard box.
Man United’s woes were compounded in the 63rd minute when Chelsea was awarded a penalty kick, and Lisandro Martinez was sent off for a second yellow card after elbowing Wesley Fofana during a contested ball.
Estevao also found the back of the net in the 71st minute, roofing the ball from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Bryan Mbeumo almost pulled one back for the visitors with a volley from outside the 18-yard box, but the ball struck the crossbar.
The result means Man United are winless in their last nine matches across all competitions this season, recording six defeats and three draws as the Red Devils dropped to 17th on the Premier League table.
Elsewhere, Manchester City failed to go three points ahead of Arsenal on the league standings as Enzo Maresca’s side fell to a narrow 1-0 loss to Brighton at the Etihad Stadium.
Yasin Ayari scored the only goal in the 11th minute, and the visitors defended until the final whistle to increase their season’s points tally to 19, moving only two points behind Man City and Arsenal.
In other league matches on Saturday, Bournemouth beat Leeds United 2-0, Brentford secured a similar scoreline win over Nottingham Forest, Coventry thrashed 10-man Sunderland 3-1, while Hull City and Ipswich settled for a 2-2 draw.
Full results
Chelsea 2 vs 0 Man United
Man City 0 vs 1 Brighton
Bournemouth 2 vs 0 Leeds United
Brentford 2 vs 0 Crystal Palace
Coventry 3 vs 1 Sunderland
Hull City 2 vs 2 Ipswich Town