On October 14, Beijing time (CET), Manchester United lost 0-2 to Atlético Madrid away in the Champions League group stage. According to The Athletic, Manchester United needed a crucial win against Atlético Madrid to ease pressure on manager Carrick, but failed to deliver. While Carrick bears some responsibility, the players must also shoulder blame for Manchester United's decline.

Reports indicate that last week Manchester United drew with Tottenham while down to ten men, putting in an unconvincing performance. Carrick's side showed some improvement in this match but conceded after a defensive error just 53 seconds into the game and struggled with their finishing. In the second half, Yoro received a red card, and Lookman subsequently scored the second goal, sealing Manchester United's defeat.

After the match, Lisandro Martínez publicly criticized the club's hierarchy, and his striking comments quickly became the focal point of discussion in the days that followed.

This defeat means Carrick's team has not won since September 11, with a difficult away fixture against Leeds United looming on Sunday.

What does this defeat mean for Carrick?

After a string of disappointing and costly results, how much longer can Carrick continue to find positives in the outcomes?

Manchester United's problem against Atlético Madrid was not the lack of intensity criticized in many matches this season. In this game, the team moved the ball quicker, found gaps in Atlético's defense, and created several dangerous chances. Despite an unconventional defensive lineup and relatively limited game time, the team did not collapse after conceding early, unlike what happened against Brighton. What truly cost them the match was a lack of precision and clinical finishing.

In the first half, Bryan Mbeumo's close-range shot was saved. In the second half, Youri Tielemans sent a long aerial pass, and Bruno Fernandes fired wide. There was also a header from Carlos Baleba following a corner; these chances could have changed the game. But what ultimately decided the match was Lee Kang-in's through pass that breached Manchester United's defense within the first minute.

Carrick has repeatedly mentioned this season that errors at critical moments keep dragging the team down. Any team can face this situation, but strong teams capitalize on the chances they create and convert them into goals. Strong teams can occasionally lose defensive focus, but they do not simultaneously squander attacking opportunities. Elite teams should avoid both. Against Atlético Madrid, Manchester United suffered from both problems.

How much of this should be attributed to Carrick? The players must take responsibility as well. However, when positive play does not translate into points, and Manchester United repeatedly fails to seize opportunities to shift public perception, the pressure on the manager will only mount.

Why did Manchester United collapse and concede after 53 seconds?

In just one minute, or more precisely 53 seconds, the darkness hanging over Manchester United deepened. Atlético midfielder Barrios fired a shot that deflected off Haven and rolled into the net. Given the chaotic defending that preceded the goal, it was no surprise.

Tracing back the context of this goal: Manchester United played out from the back, with Youri Tielemans in the center circle. Tielemans passed backward to his Belgian teammate, goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who then launched it long, immediately surrendering possession to Atlético.

The intention behind this move was for Manchester United to implement immediate high pressing, a tactic commonly employed by last season's Champions League finalists Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. In the replay, Manchester United's positioning was aggressive, and initially there was little risk as Tielemans pressed forward on center-back Cristian Romero.

Romero's pass was intercepted by Baleba in a sweeping challenge, the ball bounced out to Lee Kang-in beyond the center circle—a fortunate break. Lee Kang-in had one passing option ahead of him: Alex Baena. Notably, Manchester United's right-back Dalot allowed Baena to get ahead of him on the wing. When Lee Kang-in played the ball into the gap, Dalot was still pushing forward.

Baena found himself alone in front of goal as Manchester United's defense scrambled to recover. Yoro and Dalot caught up to him in the box. But amid the chaos, nobody marked Barrios, who arrived late. Baena crossed, and Barrios finished easily, compounding Carrick's problems.

Was Yoro's red card justified?

Yoro was sent off in the 74th minute—the type of misfortune that often strikes when a manager is already under immense pressure.

Atlético substitute Yilmaz played a simple through ball that split Manchester United's defense, finding fellow substitute Jonathan David. Yoro's defensive action was clumsy, not a deliberate foul. As they competed for position, he lightly touched David's shoulder.

The contact occurred just past the halfway line in Manchester United's half, with the ball already away from the Canadian striker. David immediately signaled to the referee for a red card with outstretched arms. Following a lengthy VAR review, referee Glenn Nyberg showed red. Manchester United captain Fernandes protested in vain, and his complaint was justified—this was not a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

Former Premier League referee Graham Scott commented: "Yoro extended his arm and placed it on David's shoulder, and with no other defenders between him and goal, it's a risky move. But there is no evidence David was brought down; it looked more like he went down voluntarily under the contact."

The on-field referee had insufficient grounds to award a foul, and the VAR intervention recommending a red card exceeded the threshold of normal refereeing standards.

In short: the red card decision was unjust; the on-field referee's initial judgment was acceptable, and VAR should not have intervened.

Why was Rashford ineffective?

Marcus Rashford had a poor outing in Spain, posing almost no threat against Atlético Madrid's sturdy right flank partnership of Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone.

Rashford had opportunities to showcase his abilities, attempting up to five dribbles but succeeding in just one. A recurring theme was that whenever he looked ready to create danger, opponents easily contained him with more physical challenges.

A moment early in the second half epitomized his struggles: Rashford received the ball on the left in a promising position, but Simeone quickly retreated, positioning himself between Rashford and the ball. After gaining positional advantage, the Argentine exploited Rashford's hand on his shoulder to earn a free kick from Swedish referee Nyberg, and Atlético successfully neutralized the threat.

This lack of intensity and limited impact in an elite-level clash is why Barcelona was willing to let Rashford return to Manchester United after just one loan season. Barcelona manager Flick preferred his English countryman Anthony Gordon, who is more active in his pressing and tactically better suited.

In the second half, with Carrick searching for an equalizer, it came as no surprise that Rashford was among the first to be substituted.

Has Álvarez won over Atlético Madrid's fans?

Many Atlético Madrid supporters still harbored resentment over Julián Álvarez's attempts to force a transfer to Barcelona this summer, and there were some boos when his name was announced before the match.

The opening goal improved the atmosphere in the stadium, and several brilliant plays by Álvarez helped Atlético maintain possession and constantly threaten Manchester United's defense, earning applause.

His long-awaited first chance for Atlético this season came early in the second half when Barrios delivered a perfect cross for a volley. Álvarez chose to shoot directly but made poor contact, and the ball hit the post.

That effort drew even more applause. Most fans were willing to forgive him, but a complete reconciliation will take time, though the process has begun.

Traducido por IA.

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