Manchester United extended their winless streak to nine games with their 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

A fast first half from United was thrown to waste in the second half as Morgan Rogers’ driving run into the box ended with a dinked effort over Senne Lammens, opening the scoring for Xabi Alonso’s side with 50 minutes on the clock.

United were still in with a chance with first-half chances from Amad and a goal ruled out for offside from Matheus Cunha, proving that this Chelsea defence could be exploited.

That was until Lisandro Martinez’s two minutes of madness. An initial foul on Morgan Rogers to the right side of United’s box earned the Argentine a yellow card. The subsequent free kick saw Martinez leap toward Wesley Fofana with his forearms raised and no intention of playing the ball, forcing referee Peter Banks to award a penalty to Chelsea and a second yellow to the butcher.

A fortunate penalty conversion from Cole Palmer pushed through the hands of Senne Lammens as Chelsea doubled their lead and all hopes of a United win withered away.

Bryan Mbeumo had a tough afternoon leading the line for United in the absence of Benjamin Sesko. The Cameroonian was unfortunate not to get a consolation goal after his volley from the edge of the box forced a desperate fingertip save from Mike Penders.

Mbeumo spoke out after the game when asked about the players letting the manager and other players down today.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he explained: "No, obviously not. I think the mentality was there right from the first minute. Harder with 10 men. We still trust everyone.

“With the men down, we still had some frustrations at the end. But I think we have done everything as a team today.

"Maybe today we just missed some chances. We could have been up early in the game, but that's a positive to take out of this game."

The question remains over who is to blame for the loss today, with United having more than enough chances to secure an early lead and Michael Carrick taking advantage of Chelsea’s defensive wobbles. Nonetheless, Manchester United were still far too open at the back and facilitated far too many Chelsea chances.

Manchester United face Roma next in the Champions League on Tuesday, as Carrick has the opportunity to turn the tide for United. But his hand has been forced.

United’s biggest concerns are at the back, with the defence far too slow. Chelsea proved, through the likes of Estevao and Rogers, that players can run uncontested at the United back line and create chances.

A combination of injuries and poor recruitment has left United desperate and thin at the back. With no established fit left-backs, a poor standard of right-backs, and younger, unproven centre-backs all facing the pressure of a United shirt, the question of what Carrick does next echoes.

Perhaps United rotate and prioritise their league position as relegation becomes a growing threat. They sit two points from the bottom ahead of the 3 pm kick-offs, with much work to do.