LONDON: The travelling fans applauded Michael Carrick when he strode to the corner of the Shed End at Stamford Bridge to acknowledge them, but Manchester United's former stalwart midfielder and current manager cut a forlorn figure as he left the pitch after a 2-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea on Saturday.
A reckless challenge on Wesley Fofana midway through the second half earned Lisandro Martinez a sending off and Chelsea a penalty for their second goal, sealing United's fate in their ninth straight game without a win in all competitions.
The United board decided to stick with Carrick for the Chelsea game despite a 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth last weekend and a 4-1 drubbing at Como in the Champions League.
