If Lisandro Martinez's actions were inexcusable, the reality is Manchester United were already losing to Chelsea when they were reduced to 10 men.

For that, there has to be a large dollop of sympathy for Michael Carrick.

In the first-half, United were far better than they had been in three-goal losses to Como and Bournemouth. They were determined, concentrated, and focused. Sadly for Carrick, they weren't clinical.

Four excellent opportunities came and went. Bruno Fernandes and Amad both blazed off target when they should have done much better.

Chelsea keeper Mike Penders made two excellent saves. Even in the latter stages, Bryan Mbeumo's blistering shot couldn't find its way in.

On the bench, Carrick must have wondered if his luck will ever change.

Instead, United are nine games without a win in all competitions. It is their worst run since 1988-89.

They are teetering on the brink of dropping into the relegation zone for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson's early days and on Tuesday welcome Serie A outfit Roma to Old Trafford knowing they need a win to keep their Champions League qualification hopes realistic.

Pre-match, the expectation had been Carrick would be in charge for that.

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

"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."